CamAWiSE at The Women’s Parliament – March 2024

Empowering Women in STEM: Strategies for Inclusivity and Equity

Dr Agnieszka Rutkowska, *Steering Committee member*, *CamAWiSE*

Welcome to our latest blog post featuring an inspiring talk by CamAWiSE steering committee member Dr Agnieszka. In her presentation at the Women’s Parliament, Dr Agnieszka delved into the persistent challenges of misogyny and gender bias in the STEM fields, offering insightful analysis and actionable strategies to foster inclusion, equity, and diversity.

Dr Agnieszka’s expertise, drawn from over a decade in STEM, shines through as she navigates complex issues ranging from unconscious bias in leadership roles to the gender AI gap in the Flexjobs 2023 report. Her message is clear and powerful: it’s not just time; it’s urgent for systematic, measurable change in the STEM fields.

We are excited to share the transcript of Dr Agnieszka’s talk here. Click here to watch the full video. We also thank Dr Jocelynne Scutt for recognising our contributions and extending the invitation to speak at the Women’s Parliament.

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Misogyny can keep women at a lower social status than men. This must change.

Misogyny is deeply ingrained in society. It manifests within modern workplaces and is particularly noticeable in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields through various channels including:

Unconscious gender bias in leadership roles
Narrow view of the society on engineering and technology that discourages women from the STEM fields.
Cultural and social expectations that exclude women from STEM-related careers.

The Women’s Parliament – March 2024

These factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in science and engineering. We need a systematic and measurable change to address these biases and create a more inclusive environment for everyone to thrive.

Kate Manne from Cornell University reveals misogyny as a tool to control women, enforcing patriarchal norms through penalties. She insists on systemic reforms to combat misogyny, unconscious bias, and sexism, beyond individual success stories.

In STEM, we call on global and local organisations and decision-makers to unite and implement measurable and actionable strategies to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity at work.

In the extremely individualized world dynamics, we are undergoing a tech revolution – artificial intelligence. The promised increased efficiency at work comes at a price – the immediate need for upskilling and re-skilling.

The Flexjobs 2023 report shows a clear gender AI gap, with 54% of men using technology in either their job or personal life, compared with only 35% of women. This divide not only reflects existing biases but also impedes women’s advancement in tech-oriented fields.

To counteract this, comprehensive training and equitable access to opportunities are essential. Both women and men require equal mentoring programmes, shared resources, and networking opportunities. Also, hiring practices need to be actively re-designed.

Our Steering Committee member Dr Agnieszka Rutkowska, representing CamAWiSE at the Women’s Parliament

As a committed member of the Cambridge Association of Women in Science and Engineering (CamAWiSE) steering committee, with over a decade of experience in the STEM field, Dr Agnieszka has spearheaded initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in professional environments. CamAWiSE’s mentoring programs and career development workshops are testaments to our dedication to nurturing a supportive ecosystem for all genders in STEM. As inclusive, diverse and equitable, this year’s cohort gathered over 60 participants including women mentees and mentors not only from the UK, but also from Ukraine and sub-Saharan Africa. Our events are open to everyone and we particularly welcome male participants who we see as our allies in empowering women in their careers.

Despite our efforts, we are fully aware that more needs to be done for full equal participation of women in workplaces. Studies reveal persistent gender biases and discrimination in workplaces, highlighting the need for concentrated efforts and partnerships. Aligning with UN Women, we advocate that gender equality benefits everyone, fostering workplaces that are not only more productive but also contribute to economic growth, sustainability, social well-being, and mental health.

In the digital era, we face an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate and achieve gender equality. that is fair, effective, and transparent. The actions include:

Introducing work flexibility and equality for all.
Promoting role models. Seeing women in leadership positions helps drive culture change of social acceptance.
Enhancing transparency in organisational policies and reporting.
Implementing gender-neutral guidelines for career advancement.
Adopting inclusive and unbiased recruitment practices.
Standardising salaries and conducting regular reviews to eliminate the pay gap.
Implementing educational and training programmes that address and mitigate unconscious bias.
Establishing clear, enforceable policies against discrimination.
Diversifying leadership and decision-making boards.
Creating workspaces where ideas and contributions are valued equally, regardless of gender.
Enabling equitable funding opportunities for researchers, with special emphasis on supporting caregivers.

Thus, Dr Agnieszka on behalf of CamAWiSE, calls upon organisations, leaders, and community members to champion these changes with urgency and accountability. We need to take measurable actions. We need to monitor and quantify the progress regularly and collectively. Let us build a society where everyone can strive, where gender equality is not just a goal but a foundational principle. We need to ensure a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all.