Lastly, we examine results from the global gender scan survey of women working in STEM disciplines in the United States and their counterparts in Europe. By comparing similarities and differences, we enrich our understanding of the issues faced on both continents.
Welcome to SWE’s State of Women in Engineering issue, our research and public policy edition. Here, we explore social science research and insights on the status of women in engineering, as well as current efforts toward gender equity in STEM professions.
Forming the backbone of this issue, our literature review team examined more than 200 peer-reviewed articles by scholars attempting to understand reasons for the low number of women engineering students and working engineers. Lead author Peter Meiksins, Ph.D., discusses the most significant research themes and trends, plus recommendations for policy solutions and further research. An extensive bibliography is included, along with sidebar stories on relevant topics.
Last summer’s 50th anniversary of Title IX, the civil rights law banning sex-based discrimination in federally funded K-12 schools, universities, and activities, should have been a celebratory moment. Yet awareness of the anniversary, let alone a spirit of celebration, were all but lost when the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had protected a woman’s right to end her pregnancy.
The cover image of our print magazine is one of the commemorative stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2022 to honor the 50th anniversary. In both the print and digital editions, the stamp images are incorporated into our article “Updated Title IX Rules to Bring Clarity to Sex Discrimination Claims.”
As of press time, updated Title IX rules proposed by the Biden administration are expected to not only restore the protections against sexual assault and harassment revoked under the Trump administration, but also will extend them to previously marginalized people. Our feature takes an in-depth look at the proposed changes, including expert commentary.
The July 2022 dialogue in Berlin between members of SWE’s research advisory council and European colleagues is covered in the article “Berlin Roundtable Addresses Gender Equity in STEM.” Another effort is highlighted in “The Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative: Working Together to Increase Diversity in the Engineering Workforce.”
Lastly, we examine results from the global gender scan survey of women working in STEM disciplines in the United States and their counterparts in Europe. By comparing similarities and differences, we enrich our understanding of the issues faced on both continents.
Informing public policy with data-driven research is a critical component of SWE’s mission. Thank you for joining us in this effort.
Anne Perusek
Director of Editorial & Publications
(she, her)