Science, technology, engineering and mathematical modelling save lives – we see that more than ever in this C-19 crisis We are relying on our scientists, technologists and engineers to come up with solutions, fast, to improve health and survival rates, to support businesses, organisations and the economy, to enable virtual social connection. They are essential contributors, key workers and equal among them are many, many women.
WISE, the campaign for gender balance in STEM, has brought together 20 partner organisations who have agreed to pool resources in a joint effort to ensure we continue to engage, nurture, grow and understand the important contribution of women in science, technology and engineering in the UK, now and for the future.
We are here to support Government, employers, educators and individual scientists and engineers to keep gender on the agenda during the coming weeks and months.
Emerging evidence highlights the risks if we fail as a nation to make decisions without reference to gender.
Let’s highlight all the energising and inspirational stories and capture the inclusive ways of working to address the current challenges and for the long-term benefit of women, businesses and the country as a whole.
5 actions we are taking to make a difference:
Telling positive stories about the way women are making a difference in this current pandemic.
Keeping connected to STEM women whilst on furlough, working from home, caring for children or relatives and whilst their workplaces, schools, colleges and universities are closed. We will need their skills to help the economy bounce back.
Addressing STEM skills shortages by providing women at risk of losing their jobs access to online technical training.
Monitoring gender impact of decisions about employment, education and caring roles during the pandemic to ensure women are not disproportionately affected.
Embracing new ways of working to transform our organisations for the long-term; including flexibility, online meetings, reduced travel which improve inclusion, productivity, health and well-being and benefit the environment.
To this end, in this global pandemic more than ever before, the business, economic and social case for equality, diversity and inclusion in science, technology and engineering (STEM) is absolutely fundamental.
Signed:
Helen Wollaston, Chief Executive, WISE
Trudy Norris-Grey, Chair, WISE
Karen Blanc, Chair, AXIS Network
Gillian Arnold, Vice President, BCS The Chartered Institute for IT
Sue Percy, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation
Chris Claydon, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive, Engineering UK
Matt Sykes, Managing Director, Generation, EDF Energy
Seán P F Harris, Director of Membership, Institution of Civil Engineers
Paul Hardaker, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Physics
Manon Bradley, Development Director, Major Projects Association
Maria Blakley, Project Manager, POWERful Women
Ale Palermo, Senior Manager, Royal Society of Chemistry
Debbie Forster, Chief Executive Officer, Tech Talent Charter
Julian David, Chief Executive Officer, Tech UK
Dr Kevin P Stenson, Chief Executive, The Smallpeice Trust
Elizabeth Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Engineering Society
Kath Moore, Managing Director, Women into Construction
Lynsey Valentine, President, Women in Nuclear
Sophie Palmer, Executive Board Member, Women in Nuclear
Lidia Bosa, Western Region Lead, Women in Nuclear
Sonya Byers, Chief Executive Officer, Women in Transport
Gemma Tredwell, Chair of WITS
Beckie Claytor, Secretary of WITS
