Focus on Women in STEM at SHU

Guest post by Dr Sarah Smith, Doctoral School Manager in the Research and Innovation Office and member of SHU’s Athena SWAN Central Self-Assessment Team

In this article, we showcase the University’s work to support women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.

According to the Institution of Engineering and Technology:

• 50% of STEM enrolments at University (UG/PG, FT/PT) are female, unevenly distributed by discipline, e.g. at undergraduate level, women make up
  • 79% in medicine
  • 61% in biological sciences
  • 17% in computer sciences
  • 16% in engineering and technology
• 51% of female STEM graduates go on to work in STEM roles, compared with 68% of men
• Women represent 47% of the UK workforce, but only 13% of the STEM workforce
• Academia is a significant STEM employer in the UK
  • Women account for 34% of UK STEM postgraduates and are evenly distributed across disciplines
  • 17% of full-time STEM professors are female, compared to 27% in non-STEM subjects
  • Women are more likely than men to end their STEM career at the early academic stage.

(Source: Women in STEM, Statistics and facts (2012-2015), The Institution of Engineering and Technology)

Diversity brings different perspectives and approaches to problem solving – an essential component of scientific progress. Lack of diversity not only limits that range of perspectives, but it represents a loss of skills from the STEM workforce. Initiatives to promote diversity in STEM aim to support the inclusion of traditionally under-represented groups alongside more well-represented groups.

A range of initiatives across the University are in place to support women in STEM – we host a dedicated Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WiSET) team, we were one of the first post-92 universities to gain an Athena SWAN Award, and we are a sponsor of the 2016 National Women in Engineering Day. As an institution, we also have supportive policies around flexible working, and a number of mentoring schemes designed to support staff to achieve their potential.

Drop-out from STEM subjects begins early, so it’s important to raise awareness of the opportunities in STEM from an early age. Our WiSET team, based in the Sheffield Institute of Education, works with regional schools and colleges, employers, careers professionals and community organisations to widen participation in STEM and built environment, particularly for girls and women. Their activities aim to encourage girls and women into STEM and the built environment, and increase rates of recruitment, retention and progression.

Women in Engineering Event

SHU is also a signatory to the Your Life campaign. Led by industry, and backed by the UK Government, Your Life is a three year campaign which aims to show young people the career opportunities that science and maths can lead to, and thereby drive uptake of maths and physics at A-level.

Clearly, attracting and retaining the best staff is a priority for the University. Athena SWAN is a nationwide gender equality charter, established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in STEM employment in higher education and research.

Sheffield Hallam has been a member of the Athena SWAN Charter since 2008, and achieved a Bronze University award in 2010, renewed in 2013. A number of our departments and research centres have also been successful in achieving recognition, with Biosciences and BMRC securing a Silver award (2012), and Engineering and Maths (2013), Psychology Research Group (2012), and Architecture and Planning (2013) holding Bronze.

Sheffield Hallam departmental award winners , Biosciences & BMRC and Psychology

A number of departments and research centres have submitted applications to the November round. Current award-holders Architecture and Planning (now Natural and Built Environment), Psychology, and Biosciences and Chemistry are all aiming for silver awards. Five other departments are submitting applications for the first time, all for Bronze awards.

Athena SWAN employs a rigorous assessment process, with an evidence-based application being evaluated by a panel of academics and HR and E&D practitioners. The preparation of an application is a lengthy process. Led by local self-assessment teams, the process involves focus groups, surveys and discussions with staff; the analysis of staff and student data provided by HR and Planning Services; an objective self-evaluation; and the formation of a robust action plan for the following three years. An award does therefore genuinely reflect a commitment to supporting women in STEM.

Daphne Jackson Fellowships support STEM professionals to return to their research career after a break of 2 years or more for family, caring or health reasons. Dr Louise Vickers has recently been awarded one of these prestigious fellowships to work with Dr Christine Le Maitre (BMRC) and Prof Chris Sammon (MERI) on a 2-year research project.

SHU is a sponsor of the 2016 National Women in Engineering Day. Launched by the Women’s Engineering Society in 2014, it aims to focus attention on the opportunities for women in engineering through encouraging local groups and organisations to organise their own events in support of the day. In the past two years, SHU has celebrated the day by running hands-on events for local school girls which have been ably supported by the University’s Women in Engineering and Maths Student Society.

Women in Engineering Event

This year SHU celebrated Ada Lovelace Day by launching its first Women in Computing Student Society which has plans for hosting networking opportunities with local employers, and delivering outreach activities with local schools.

We are also delighted to welcome Meg Munn onto our Board of Governors. Meg has been a long-time champion of women in STEM and supporter of SHU’s work in this area.

Finally, last year’s Students’ Union President, Emily Connor, has written a piece reflecting on her time as President and the importance of equality and diversity. You can read her blog here.