Diversity in STEM
- girlseduproject -
- Dec 5, 2022
- 2 min read
Diversity in STEM is a longstanding topic, often brought up, discussed and widely put into practice for its effectiveness and verity in helping society rise to progressive stages of development. ‘Diversity in STEM’ essentially refers to the variety in terms of race, colour, and ethnicity present in the workforce. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics i.e STEM fields continue to be dominated by males - a sad and incomplete representation of the general population.
Diversity in STEM is important.
Firstly, representation is inspiring and inspiration is what births productive action. Representation has been gaining tremendous support around the world - a phenomenon stemmed from the feeling of acknowledgement and pride one feels when they see a person that looks, speaks or eats like them in books, movies and the workspace.
Secondly, STEM is what drives the world forward. It’s a field of work, a form of discipline, an enormous ocean that operates the world’s engine, that saves lives and affects every human. It’s natural that a field so beneficial also reflects the lives it impacts i.e portray the diversity in humanity, the same humanity it so strives to help and preserve.
According to the NSF, the STEM workforce is 89% white and 72% male, while the overall workforce is 78% white and 53%, male. The world’s population isn’t 89% white or 72% male - this shows the massive disparity in the lack of diversity. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that a more diverse team is more likely to outperform a more homogenous team—even when the homogenous team is more able than the diverse group. This, in turn, suggests that a diverse group is more probable to have a higher success rate owing to their varied experiences, diverse backgrounds and different thinking.
Discouraging factors like STEM stereotypes and limited visibility of diverse role models (according to a survey from Emerson Electric Co.), may hinder STEM development and undermine racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.
It is brilliant that this disparity has been noticed, acknowledged and is currently being acted upon. While the results take time to show and progress is slow, it is crucial to note that although slow, but steady - change is coming our way.
To contribute to a more diverse workforce in STEM fields, the first and foremost area to be worked upon is accessibility. Creating a more accessible atmosphere, especially when one feels inclusive is one of the ways to increase diversity in STEM. Reforming education, for example, may encourage students to seek further STEM education. Failure to support or encourage students that have an interest in pursuing a career in STEM can lead to a lack of opportunity, and therefore a lack of diverse talent.
As mentioned earlier, while the tides appear to be turning, the change and its subsequent is slow and it will take years to repair the wide crack this disparity in diversity has caused. Diverse teams are said to foster innovation compared to homogeneous ones and if that holds, we can keep our eyes peeled out for some very exciting times, albeit not very soon but it’s hope that looms above the horizon!
Referred sources:
https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/diversity-stem-what-it-why-does-it-matter-and-how-do-we-increase-it
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