Universities Looking For New Ways to Get Women Into STEMM Careers

Australian universities are coming up with strategies to help women get into science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical (STEMM) industries.

SBS reports higher education institutions are hoping to equal the gender playing field in their faculties. In fact, the Australian Academy of Sciences has started the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program to help universities achieve this balance.

At least 40 universities, medical research institutes and government science organisations have already signed up. One university taking the plunge is the University of Melbourne.

Last year, their school of mathematics and statistics decided to advertise three academic roles as female only. Deputy Dean of Science at the University of Melbourne—and former head of mathematics and science—Alek Owczarek told SBS the strategy worked extremely well.

“There were just over 120 applicants for three positions and in November we interviewed 17 of those applicants,” he shared. “We were so impressed with the applicants we actually appointed four.” He also explained the female-only hiring process had immense reputational benefits for the university.

So what kind of difficulties do women face in STEMM industries?

Experts agree one of the most significant challenges is related to taking breaks in their career, including time off to have children or to care for relatives. “If you look at grants, women are immediately disadvantaged by any kind of caring interruption like having a child or caring,” said Marguerite Evans-Galea, the co-founder of Women in Science.

She was immediately sacked from a position at a United States university literally minutes after telling her male supervisor she was pregnant.

Putting up employment opportunities that cater specifically for minorities has been commended for helping tackle unconscious bias. “The loss of privilege feels difficult, but the loss of privilege is not the same as being disadvantaged,” said the Dean of Natural Sciences at Imperial College, Professor Tom Welton.

“In reality we’re all just starting to really wake up to the need to improve our diversity,” he explained.