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Women in STEM
11. February 2024 15:00
International day of Women in STEM

A summary will be found at the bottom of this news post!

Any text marked with the symbol * is referred to a source marked with the same symbol in our list of references. 

 

Today, in collaboration with 3leonora, we celebrate the International Day of Women in STEM! STEM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Today, women make up about 28% of the total workforce in STEM worldwide. 24% in the United States, 17% in the EU, 16% in Japan, and 14% in India.* 3leonora is an influencer, who is advocating for women's empowerment in STEM-fields!

 

Introducing 3leonora!


Do you feel like you’re not ‘smart enough’ to do science? That you’re just not ‘fit’ for STEM? You’re not alone, and I’m here to remind you of the stereotypes in STEM creating barriers for people pursuing a career in science. Everyone can do science! 

 

Hello! My name is Eleonora, and I’m a 24-year-old research student in string theory. I’m in a constant state of confusion about how the universe works and how I can use mathematics to understand weird phenomena like quantum black holes. Every day, I face the consequences of being in a marginalised group in my field, and it keeps me motivated to work with my biggest concern about this world: equality in STEM. 7 years ago, I founded a Swedish non-profit organisation Girls in STEM to change this. We want to break gender stereotypes, present role models and start the discussion of people’s place in STEM. Not long after that, I started posting on social media on the same topic. I quickly reached a lot of following, and now have in total over 150,000 followers on social media. I’m what most people would call an “influencer” but I prefer STEM-fluencer, as what I want to influence is equal access to scientific fields.

 

I’m not alone in my experiences, we’re talking about something bigger than just an individual perspective; it’s a question about democracy, it affects all of our lives. STEM is all around us, and we need an inclusive environment to shape the future world we will live in so everyone can have a place in society. 

 

I’m happy that I’m once again collaborating with goSupermodel to highlight the importance of this topic, and I hope you will participate in this event! I’ve posted a goCode on my TikTok which will give you the opportunity to express what a scientist looks like; you!

 

Chat with 3leonora here



Gender bias in STEM and how to combat it

Some of the reasons attributed to the underrepresentation of women in STEM (as stated in THIS article from MIT) are: 

Stereotypes: Many individuals still associate STEM fields with stereotypically masculine qualities, leading to stereotypes that can discourage girls and women from pursuing STEM education and careers.*

Lack of role models: Women remain underrepresented in STEM leadership positions, which makes it harder for girls and women to find role models and mentors in the field.*

Unconscious bias: Unconscious biases in hiring, promotion, and grant funding can disadvantage women and lead to their disproportionately low representation in STEM.*

Work-life balance imbalance: STEM careers can be demanding, and some women may opt out or choose to work part-time to handle family responsibilities, which can impact career advancement.*

Benefits of closing the gender gap in STEM:

Fostering an inclusive environment will ensure diverse perspectives in the field, providing more innovative research, solutions, the development of products meeting everyone's needs, and economic growth.


How to close the gender gap in STEM:

Encouraging women to pursue an education in STEM fields: Empowering women and girls by dispelling stereotypes associated with STEM, and introducing women and girls to scientific content and the joys associated with it early.


Ensure girls and women see themselves in the fields’ role models: Presenting women in STEM, and drawing attention to their research and successes. Studies have shown that seeing relatable role models and people of the same gender in a field increases the likelihood of oneself choosing a field to study or a workplace. 

Providing professional development opportunities: Initiatives that include training, mentorship, and networking events can help women develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in STEM fields.*

Addressing structural barriers: Breaking down structural obstacles, such as the gender pay gap, lack of family-friendly policies, and gender bias in grant funding is crucial in closing the gender gap in STEM. Companies and institutions should work toward creating policies that address these issues and promote gender equity.*



Summary;

  • The Inclusivity group is collaborating with 3leonora, a 24-year-old PhD-candidate in string theory, who is a passionate advocate for gender equality in STEM and STEM-fluencer with over 150.000 followers

  • 3leonora is a founder of a non-profit organisation Girls in STEM, to promote diversity and inclusivity

  • Women in STEM are crucial for diverse perspectives, innovation, and economic growth 

  • Women in STEM-fields are underrepresented due to stereotypes, lack of role models, gender bias, and work-life balance challenges. 

  • Closing gap requires promoting role models, addressing structural barriers and inclusivity in STEM-fields

  • 3leonora is sharing a goCode on her TikTok @eleonorasvanberg 







Sources:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/crash-test-bias-how-male-focused-testing-puts-female-drivers-at-risk/

https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/blog/gender-bias-in-the-diagnosis-of-cardiovascular-disorders

*https://professionalprograms.mit.edu/blog/leadership/the-gender-gap-in-stem/


With love

The Inclusivity group and 3leonora