Widening participation for women in STEM
England (South East), England (London)
26.10.2011
9.00am - 4.15pm
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects are integral to the UK’s economic success. Engineering turnover stands at approximately £800 billion per year and biomedical sciences are paving the way for research and development. Despite this, STEM remains a male dominated sector. According to a Higher Education Agency survey released five years ago, at that time, women made up 24% of computer science students in higher education. Now, they make up just 19%. In the last 10 years, there has been no improvement in the uptake of women in mathematical sciences – the proportion remains stable at 38% – or engineering and technology, where women make up just 15% of student numbers.
In the 2011 budget, it was announced that an additional £100m from the bank levy would be invested in science facilities and the number of university technical colleges would be doubled. In the Higher Education White Paper: Students at the Heart of the System, the government committed to offering more funding and resources for fair access to universities.
Across the country, individual institutions are taking steps to improve educational participation for women. Universities have taken on projects to recognise excellence in STEM for women in higher education and are also placing quotas on female access to universities. Furthermore, schools are now adopting a new curriculum with greater recognition for STEM subjects and promoting diversity in work placement schemes.
Agenda
This informative forum will offer delegates the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the government’s policies on promoting STEM and how they aim to encourage greater gender participation.
Venue: One Great George Street, London.