Gender Equality in SET

Annette Williams is Director of the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET (UKRC )

The language of struggle is common when talking about equality. Yes – it has been a struggle. And there is still much to be done. While progress has been made over 40 years of initiatives and modernisation, some of the current facts and figures about the participation of women scientists, engineers and technologists remain shocking.

This imbalance matters – not only for reasons of fairness, but because gender equality is good for business and innovation in science, engineering and technology (SET). It values and nurtures talent, builds a more inclusive and diverse workforce and can lead to better business performance, helping unlock economic recovery.

We therefore welcome the commitment of the new coalition government – its emphasis on science and innovation combined with a recognition of the need to create a fairer society. Flexible working; closing the pay gap; more women on boards; family-friendly working; mentoring schemes and action on barriers to equality are all on the coalition agenda. (See for instance the Coalition Agreement, the Conservative Contract for Equality and a recent speech by Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Equalities).

In addition to commitments to equality, there are supportive statements from Ministers regarding values and actions which are relevant to our aims. These include investment in science and innovation; creating level playing fields in recruitment; building human capital; less demarcation between higher and further education; support schemes for new entrants to the workforce; an increase in adult education, and new apprenticeships. (See recent speeches by BIS Ministers Vince Cable, David Willetts , Baroness Wilcox and John Hayes)

For our part, we believe the private, public and third sectors can and must build gender equality in SET together. Only a comprehensive approach can ensure the UK tackles the complex of reasons why full gender equality remains elusive in these sectors.

The UKRC works with a wide range of businesses and organisations, with individual women, and with women’s networks. At policy level, we present the evidence and help government and others advance gender equality in SET. In the next few months the approaches we will actively advocate for include:

• more industry and academic champions, providing top level leadership for change
• measures in all government SET initiatives and investment to address barriers and drive up participation by women
• increased transparency concerning the gender balance in SET sectors at all levels, plus work conditions and pay
• improved pathways and removal of barriers that prevent adult women taking up SET vocational and technical training and progressing into employment or the professions
• an accessible all-age careers advice service, which meets the needs of any woman interested in a SET career
• an increase in women at board room level in SET companies, to reach 30% female representation by 2020

Last month Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of the need for women at senior level. “This is not some kind of political correctness,” he said. “It’s about talent. If you don’t promote women in your organisation you are missing out on – I would say about 50%, my wife would say on 80% of the available talent in the country.”

So from the gender equality perspective, we have much to be engaged with. But Government action and investment remains critical to support commitment and drive forward action. The private and third sectors cannot champion gender equality in SET on their own: leadership, support, networks and consultancy are all essential. At the UKRC our role is to be an expert catalyst, facilitator and resource in this vital process – we have busy times ahead!