The State of Women in STEM

THE RESEARCH AMPLIFIES WHAT MANY IN THE FIELD ALREADY KNOW: WOMEN STILL FACE BIAS, DISCRIMINATION, AND DISCOURAGEMENT FROM PURSUING STEM EDUCATIONS AND CAREERS.

Our annual research and public policy issue examines the status of women in STEM from many perspectives, beginning with “Women in Engineering and STEM: A Review of the 2023 Literature.”

The research amplifies what many in the field already know: Women still face bias, discrimination, and discouragement from pursuing STEM educations and careers. While some papers the team reviewed spoke of the power of role models and mentors, allies and supporters, and communities based on shared identities, others spoke of ongoing systemic bias based on gender, race and ethnicity, and LGBTQIA+ identity. Stereotypes, restrictive working rules, demanding roles at home, and imposter syndrome still hinder women’s progress in all phases of education and practice.

Many SWE members are likely to find the observations familiar, having faced these obstacles in their own careers. But having individual experiences validated and recognized through research helps position the problem within a larger, more entrenched conundrum — one that can only be resolved with sustained, collective effort. Toward that end, we report on the activities and goals of the Women in STEM caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, which strategize about legislation that promotes diversity in STEM as a means of enhancing the U.S. economy. These bipartisan groups have found a solidarity of purpose that is currently uncommon in Washington, D.C. Read “Women in STEM Caucuses Pursue Unified Goals.”

We also offer recommendations and insights from two roundtable discussions — moderated by Anne Perusek, SWE Magazine’s emerita director of editorial and publications — with STEM researchers from across Spain. In May 2023, the researchers met in Barcelona with the SWE Research Advisory Council to discuss the challenges in educating, recruiting, and retaining women in STEM. Topics included the need to recruit boys and men as allies, the importance of institutional support, and the need to fix biased systems rather than “fix” women. Read “The Barcelona Roundtables.”

We also offer an update on the Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX, which prohibits gender-based discrimination and protects against sexual assault and harassment in federally funded K–12 schools and colleges. Proposed rules would extend its coverage to the LGBTQIA+ community and enhance the rights of those subjected to discrimination, assault, or harassment. But the announcement of the rules in their final form has been delayed three times already, and at press time, seemed likely to be delayed again. Even if the rules are approved soon, they are likely to face immediate legal challenges. Read “Repeated Delays Stall Title IX Progress.”

In “Representation Matters,” we reveal a SWE study of American Society for Engineering Education data that shows the number of women who teach engineering at the postsecondary level makes a difference — small but significant — on the number of women earning engineering degrees. And SWE’s study of a professional membership organization with a high percentage of women leaders offers lessons for others to follow. Read “Lessons in Leadership.”

The content in this issue is our effort to present instructive and compelling research and insights that support SWE’s mission to empower women to achieve their full potential as engineers, include women in an expanded image of the engineering profession, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion. You can access the digital versions of these articles at magazine.swe.org, and from the website we encourage you to share your favorites — especially with policymakers — using the hashtag #SWE.