Prof. Sarah Spurgeon on #WomenInScienceDay

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise the absolutely critical role all women and girls play - and will continue to play - in STEM. 

Here, in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, we were recently awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award for our commitment to gender equality. This was a great step in recognising both progress made and our future aspirations.

Despite disappointing figures, particularly in the UK, for female participation in STEM, I continue to be determined to tackle the problem through continued promotion of opportunities for young girls, achieved by dedicated outreach and through advocating success stories of the ever-increasing number of women in our Department who make a great contribution and are fantastic role models.   

On this day let us celebrate what we have done so far and consider how our own practices and attitudes can challenge gender stereotypes.

For more on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.