Diversity in STEM Review: let's talk solutions

The importance of diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines cannot be overstated. With the rapidly evolving technological landscape, the demand for a diversified STEM workforce becomes more imperative. It is crucial to note that diversity extends beyond gender - it is multidimensional, encompassing facets such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, age, and sexual orientation, to mention a few.

Diversity fuels innovation, facilitates problem-solving, and fosters creativity, crucial elements in STEM fields. When various perspectives come together, they offer a broader and more comprehensive understanding of complex issues. This unique perspective can lead to novel, breakthrough solutions that might not have been achieved in a homogeneous environment.

Within the realm gender diversity, we must acknowledge intersectionality which means recognizing the different barriers faced by individuals who occupy multiple marginalized identities. In Australia, the gender equality landscape in STEM fields has long been marked by a significant gap: an insufficient consideration of intersectionality. At STEM Sisters we are for an environment where all individuals in STEM feel valued, respected, and supported and in aligned with that we focus on a specific intersectional group. That is, the unique experiences and challenges faced by women of colour and Culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women in STEM. Our community largely comprises international-born women in STEM – migrants and international students who contribute to the vibrancy and dynamism of Australia's scientific community.

Indeed, in Australia, the diversity in STEM fields has failed to mirror the nation's rich multicultural tapestry. Despite the vibrant multicultural identity of Australia. Yet, until 2020, there were no statistics to quantify our representation in the STEM sector. A ground-breaking report by the Australian Chief Scientist in 2020 shed light on this issue. Astonishingly, the report revealed that 56% of university-qualified STEM women in Australia are born overseas. However, these same women face an unemployment rate four times higher than that of Australian-born STEM women. What's even more shocking is that the employment situation for overseas-born STEM women in Australia has markedly worsened over time. A comparison of data from 2006 to 2016 reveals a striking increase in unemployment rates among this group - from 5% to 14.1%. The representation and inclusion of overseas-born women, especially in STEM fields, have been largely overlooked by the governments policy-making and diversity initiatives. This lack of attention, unfortunately, has perpetuated inequalities in employment opportunities, particularly in the STEM sector for women of colour.

STEM Sisters emerged to address this gap. Recognizing that the voices and talents of these international-born STEM women were underrepresented, we initiated programs and support systems to bring these overlooked talents into the light. We firmly believe in a future where the diversity of Australian STEM fields mirrors the cultural richness of our nation.

At STEM Sisters, we understand the importance of a sense of belonging and accessibility in STEM from firsthand experience. The narrative of being a woman of colour in STEM, often coupled with being an international-born individual, brings its unique set of opportunities and challenges.

In the past, there were missed opportunities due to the lack of targeted support for our community. Cultural nuances, differences in educational systems, and unique career trajectories of women of colour in STEM were often overlooked. In response to these gaps, we launched various initiatives at STEM Sisters to provide opportunities that we wish we had had in the past and even now. These include programs, workshops, networking events, and advocacy initiatives. We believe these efforts contribute significantly to promoting access and a sense of belonging among women of colour in STEM.

we have high expectations from this Review. Here are some of our suggestions.

Comprehensive Insights: The Review should provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of diversity and inclusion in Australia's STEM ecosystem, including the unique challenges faced by Women of Colour (WOC) and other underrepresented groups in STEM. A one-size-fits-all approach might not work. Engage with these communities to understand their experiences and challenges in accessing and progressing in STEM. This insight should guide the development, management, and delivery of policies or programs.

Policy Changes: We would like to see the Review influencing policy changes at the national level. This could include policies to encourage more diversity in STEM education and careers, such as financial incentives, scholarships, or changes in educational curricula. We believe in the current situation the focus should be more on the challengers faced women who have already chosen STEM as their career. Also, ensure diverse representation in decision-making so the voices of underrepresented groups are heard and their needs are considered in decision-making processes.

Funding Opportunities: The Review should identify opportunities for increased funding and support for diversity and inclusion initiatives in STEM. Once identified Efforts should focus on long-term strategies that provide continuous support and opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM as Short-term initiatives often fail to deliver lasting change. This includes long-term funding commitments and policies that support diversity and inclusion over time. Also evaluate all programs especially the once are not driven by community for community as if they are meeting the intended outcomes.

Moving forward by these past shortcomings: Historical attention to gender diversity in STEM has often failed to consider intersectionality, particularly the experiences of women of colour. This is an oversight we can't afford to repeat. This gap is not merely an issue of representation, it has profound impacts on talent utilisation, innovation potential, and economic performance. The reasons for this oversight are manifold, including systemic biases, lack of adequate data, and limited visibility of intersectional role models in these fields. However, the heart of the issue lies in the decision-making processes of the past which, whether consciously or not, neglected the vital component of intersectionality. For future-proofing our STEM sector, it's important to thoroughly examine these past shortcomings to avert their recurrence. We need to question who is at the table when these decisions are being made, and how we can ensure a wide range of voices and perspectives are included. In addition, it is important that we generate and rely on more nuanced data and consider intersectionality as a critical factor in all future STEM initiatives and policies.

While the recent acknowledgment from the government towards addressing diversity in STEM is a step forward, it is important to note that this is just the beginning. There remains a considerable journey ahead.

Through continued targeted initiatives, government policies, and most importantly, the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we can look forward to an inclusive and diverse Australian STEM sector that truly reflects future Australian identity.