Elevate is the latest program for women in STEM. Will it deliver change?

The Office of Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador has launched the STEM Equity Evaluation Portal, a free evaluation tool to assess which of the hundreds of STEM equity programs around Australia are making a difference.

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of women in STEM-qualified jobs grew by two percentage points to 15%, while 37% of STEM university enrolments are women (up three points). But there are still systemic barriers to full participation that persist — such as the competing demands of caring responsibilities, which primarily fall to women.

“We need to know which of the hundreds of STEM equity programs across Australia are making a difference,” said Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador. “That’s why we’ve created the STEM Equity Evaluation Portal, to enable everyone involved in STEM equity programs to assess and share what works and what doesn’t, helping other programs around the country.”

The portal will help people assess their programs and share their findings, helping programs improve and scale up, generating useful data and helping other equity, diversity and inclusion programs around the country. It was created by Dr Isabelle Kingsley, drawing on the framework from the National Evaluation Guide that was launched in 2020.

“I invite everyone running a STEM equity program to use our free evaluation portal, and to share findings so we can all learn as a community and refine our programs to make a sustainable difference,” Dr Kingsley said.

The tool comes as the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) announces the first 50 scholarship recipients for the $41.2 million Elevate: Boosting women in STEM program. Funded by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), Elevate will award 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women in STEM over the next six years. The program also supports women to thrive and progress in STEM careers through opportunities to extend qualifications, networks and professional skills.

Set to commence study in 2023, the scholars include 30 women pursuing postgraduate studies in applied STEM research, from aerospace engineering to cybersecurity; five mid-career women in STEM who will undertake career-boosting leadership qualifications; and 15 women who will commence STEM undergraduate degrees, setting them on paths to rewarding careers. ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said she was pleased to see the huge demand for the program, with more than 1000 applications from diverse women across the nation received in this first round.

“The demand demonstrates that a huge range of Australian women are keen to study STEM and embark on, or grow, rewarding careers, tackling modern challenges and solving problems through a STEM lens,” Walker said.

“We are proud to be able to support the Elevate scholars — not just to study but also by immersing them in an inclusive network, connecting them with leaders in a range of sectors, and offering professional development in enabling business skills.”

The scholars will study at 19 universities across Australia and will have opportunities to create additional connections as part of national STEM networks. Elevate Advisory Group Co-Chair Dr Marlene Kanga is looking forward to the impact of the scholars as they build boardroom skills and cultivate influential connections.

“Elevate will support tomorrow’s STEM leaders today,” she said. “This program ensures that the future STEM sector is shaped collectively with diverse perspectives at the table, and brings a breadth of experience and understanding to the next generation of leaders, technologists, applied scientists and engineers.”

Image credit: iStock.com/andresr

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