During a government Science and Technology Committee (STC) meeting, experts have declared that it was essential to collect relevant data, create an inclusive culture, and focus on skills in order to advance quality, equity, diversity, and inclusion (D&I) in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) industries.
Indeed, there is still a flagrant lack of representation and diversity in STEM and, as we are celebrating International Women’s Day, it is important to tackle this growing issue in our current society. This is why measuring progress through data could help change this to see ifequity and initiatives are making a difference in STEM sectors.
By doing so, experts could gain a better overview of the number of women in tech and in various sectors as well as the racial diversity in STEM. For instance, the number of black people dropping out at each stage on the path to academia is way bigger than other ethnic groups and there are only 25 black male STEM professors in the UK at the moment. Data could then help understand why is that.
Moreover, it is vital to establish an inclusive culture in tech. This could be achieved by increasing academic funds and granting for women in STEM as well as having better policies surrounding maternity and paternity leave. Issues that prevent diversity in tech industries should be tackled in order to encourage more women and diverse groups to follow a career in STEM. Experts then highlight the importance of representation in the workplace but also incision.
Finally, giving better access to STEM and digital skills to a variety of people will increase the diversity within tech organisations and make way for a whole new generation of inclusive and quality workplaces.