Boosting the Sustainable Representation of Women in STEM With Evidence-Based Policy Initiatives. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moss-Racusin, Corinne A.; Pietri, Evava S.; van der Toorn, Jojanneke; Ashburn-Nardo, Leslie
• Is Part Of: Policy insights from the behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 8:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: STEM -- gender -- underrepresentation -- interventions -- sustainable representation; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Behavioral Sciences; Public Policy; Brain; Human behavior; Political planning; Periodicals; Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/2372732220980092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2372-7322

Abstract

Women are missing from Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, undermining intellectual inclusivity, meritocracy goals, national competitiveness, and high-quality advances. Solutions require not only hiring more women, but boosting their sustainable representation (i.e., their lasting, substantial presence and valued engagement). Evidence-based policies can shift organizational culture, enabling women's full and durable participation. The present review presents (1) numerous causes of women's underrepresentation in STEM and (2) evidence-based interventions to tackling these causes. Specific policy initiatives (derived from the scientific evidence) would promote the sustainable representation of women in STEM.