The Office of the Chief Scientist has released a new occasional paper and datasheet about the obstacles facing women in STEM in Australia.

You can read the media release below, or download it as a PDF.

BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT WOMEN IN STEM

A new paper from the Office of the Chief Scientist highlights the need for ongoing action to encourage and support women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Busting the Myths about Women in STEM dispels four damaging and persistent myths facing women in STEM. It is accompanied by an illustrated datasheet that shows Australia’s gender STEM imbalance persisting from the classroom through to the workplace.

Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel said the nation needed to build a culture that further encourages girls and women to enter and excel in STEM fields.

“Australia is already a global leader in science. Imagine what we could achieve if women and men felt equally welcomed and appreciated in STEM professions,” Dr Finkel said.

“This paper will help equip Australians with the facts about gender inequality in STEM, and help us to continue the progress already being made in this area.”

The paper highlights that women are just as talented and capable as men in STEM fields, but the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination and a belief that STEM professions are “male” roles discourage girls and women from pursuing these careers.

The paper and datasheet are available at http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2016/11/occasional-paper-busting-myths-about-women-in-stem/.

11 November 2016