Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)– A case forintervention
At the fourth meeting of ministerial Indo-UK Science and Innovation Council, both countries agreed to explore opportunities to develop future work through the Newton-Bhabha Fund in the area of Diversity in Science, particularly the representation of women in leadership roles. In light of the above, the British Council, in partnership with the UK Science and Innovation Network and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India are organising a half-day session to share knowledge and best practise to promote and support participation and progression of women in STEM education and careers.
Background
Access, equity and excellence are the three pillars of the Government of India’s 12th plan for Higher Education (HE). While significant progress is being made in expanding the number of places at universities and improving the quality of research and teaching, achieving equity, in terms of women’s participation, is proving to be a persistent challenge.
Women constitute 44% of the 27.5 million students in Indian HE (Government of India, 2013: iii-ix), but participation rates are hugely variable across the country, with Kerala enrolling 57% women but the Punjab only 35%[1]. Women constitute only 1.4% of the professoriate and 3% of Vice-Chancellors[2]. However, the full picture is not clear, particularly in terms of profession, due to an absence of accurate, gender disaggregated data on HE staffing.
The inequality in the participation and progression of women in STEM education and careers in higher education is of especially deep concern. The lack of data on gender in STEM and across the wider HE sector hinders analysis and the development of policy recommendations to inform specific future action and interventions for change.The evidence that does exist indicates that gender inequalities at different levels and stages of STEM disciplines in higher education institutions are a result of a complex combination of multiple factors, and that solutions will therefore involve multidimensional approaches.
Aims of the workshop
This half day session on Women in STEM will review and reflect on data, policies and interventions that exist in India and the UK, and will identify issues and challenges that need to be addressed at macro and meso levels.
Specific objectives
- To review and reflect on data, policies and interventions related to Women in STEM in India and the UK.
- Identify key issues and challenges at macro and micro levels and propose recommendations about specific future action and interventions for change.
Participants
Around 40 participants – scientists, researchers, heads of institutions and policy makers.
Programme Outline
Thursday, 12 February 2015, Hotel Lalit, New Delhi09.00-09.30: Registration and Coffee
09.30-9.40: Opening remarks and welcome:
- Ms Gill Caldicott, Director Operations, British Council India
- Dr H B Singh Officer in –charge Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
10.00-10.30
Session I
Status of women in STEM: identifying successes and challenges
Brief overview and evaluation of policies and practices with regard to women in STEM and shared challenges that are still to be addressed. / Format: Overview presentation from representative from India and the UK(2 x10 minute presentations + 10 minutes Q&A)
Speakers :
- Prof Rohini M Godbole, Professor, Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
- Prof Barbara McInnes Crossouard, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Sussex, UK
The following session will identify barriers and enablers to support women in STEM.
10.30-11.30
Session II
Working together – Fostering and Supporting Women in STEM
After introductory presentations, break-out groups will deliberate on the following three themes:
Theme 1 – Women in early career research and support systems
This session will review and explore measures and support structures that need to be put in place for early career female researchers. The discussion will identify enabling measures for career advancement and re-entry.
Theme 2 – The missing data: What do we need and how do we collect it?
The lack of data on gender in STEM and across the wider HE sector hinders analysis and the development of policy recommendations to inform specific future action and interventions for change. What do we need and how do we collect it?
Theme 3 – International Mobility and Networks
Successful scientific careers increasingly require geographical mobility and access to international networks. Studies have shown that mobility is more problematic for female researchers than for their male counterparts. The factors are manifold: social norms, different priorities, dual careers, family. How can we develop joint programmes between UK and India that will enhance the mobility of women scientists between both the countries? / Format:Three 5-min introductions to themes by each speaker in plenary, followed by break out groups where theme speakers will facilitate a 45- min facilitated discussion.
Moderator: Mark Sinclair, Head – UK Science and Innovation Network, India
Theme 1 Speaker: Dr Rajeshwari Raina, National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), Delhi
Theme 2 Speaker: Dr Sudha Nair,
CEO, Biotech Park for Women, Chennai
Theme 3 Speakers: Prof Minakshi Bhardwaj, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Dr Shobhana Narasimhan, Professor, JNCASR, Bangalore
Thefollowing session will focus on the role of the government in supporting women in STEM, the need to promote more women in leadership and management positions and current/future plans and initiatives for empowerment of women in STEM.
In this moderated session, panellists who are policy makers and funders will be asked to respond to the recommendations made by the 3 break-out groups.
11.30-11.45Coffee and Networking
11.45-13.00
Concluding session –Policy responses to proposals and recommendations
Each break-out group will nominate one participant to sum up the previous discussions.
This will be followed by responses througha panel discussion of policymakers and government funding agencies with an aim to suggest concrete solutions. / Format – Panel Discussion (60 minutes)Report back from 3 break out groups, followed by 45 minutes response from panel including questions from audience
Panellists:
- Dr Shashi Bala Singh, OS & Director Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO
- Dr H B Singh Officer in –charge Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
- Dr Shailja Gupta, Director, International cooperation, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
- Dr Nafees Meah, Director – Research Councils UK – India
- Mr Patrick Johnson, Head of Equality and Diversity, University of Manchester
- Dr Amanda Dickins, Head - Science and Society, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK
13.00 – Vote of thanks
Ms Manjula Rao, Assistant Director, Internationalising Higher Education, British Council India
13.10-14.00 – Networking Lunch
[1]EIU 2014b
[2]Banerjee and Polite, 2011