MPs debate women in STEM

The hurdles facing women in science were addressed by MPs in the House of Commons yesterday, as part of an adjournment debate organised by Valerie Vaz MP. Ms Vaz called on the Government to heed CaSE’s recommendation that a strategy and specific targets for increasing inclusion should be developed by the Government.

Attended by the Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, the debate touched on a number of issues across the diversity agenda, including subject take-up at school, employment opportunities, and research career structures for women.

CaSE has been working hard to raise the profile of the diversity agenda in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and we very much welcome the debate.

Access to science and engineering, whether through employment or simply understanding and engagement, should by the same for everyone. At CaSE, we also believe that improved diversity also leads to a more innovative and responsive STEM workforce.

You can view all our work on diversity here.

As part of this work, we recently published a short report examining socio-economic diversity in STEM.  With the cost of Higher Education rising, it is especially important to ensure that social background does not effect opportunities to pursue STEM study. Access to STEM – and all – subjects should be entirely merit-based.