The Australian government has initiated a Diversity in STEM Review to assess the cultural and structural barriers that limit the participation of women, girls, and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields. The review is also expected to examine the delivery and impact of the existing suite of women in STEM programs. While some industry players have welcomed the review, others have criticised the decision to halt new grant funding while the review is underway. However, Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has clarified that existing grant programs continue to receive funding of up to $100 million. Husic hopes that the review will identify the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in STEM and address broader issues of representation in the tech sector. The final report is expected to be tabled in the last quarter of 2023.
Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has expressed his support for the Diversity in STEM Review and its consultative process, amid industry pushback over the decision to halt new grant funding while the review is underway. The review, which was announced in September 2022, aims to evaluate the cultural and structural barriers that limit the participation of women, girls, and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields. According to government figures, women currently make up just 27% of the workforce across STEM-related industries.
As part of the review’s terms of reference, an expert panel will also investigate the “delivery and impact of the existing suite of women in STEM programs.” The final report is expected to be tabled in the last quarter of 2023.
Existing grant programs continue to receive funding of up to $100 million, but no new funding will be announced before the review is complete. Sarah Moran, founder of Girl Geek Academy, a social enterprise that provides coding lessons and tech training to women and girls, criticised the decision to pause funding, calling it a “further setback for girls already participating in STEM.”
Husic clarified that funding arrangements have remained unchanged since the review was announced, and no funding has been cut. He also emphasised that announcing new grants before the final report would be “putting the cart before the horse.”
According to Husic, the grant programs will continue to operate on their own timelines. While he acknowledges that his decision not to roll out extra funding during the review may upset some people, he wants people to know that they are approaching the issue differently from previous administrations.
It is hoped that the Diversity in STEM Review will identify the issues facing women and other underrepresented groups in STEM and recommend strategies to address them, thereby increasing diversity and representation across these industries.
The Diversity in STEM Review, announced in September 2022, will evaluate the cultural and structural barriers limiting women, girls, and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Women currently represent only 27% of the STEM workforce, according to government figures. The review’s terms of reference specify that an expert panel will examine the “delivery and impact of the existing suite of women in STEM programs.”
Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has expressed support for the review and its consultative process, in light of industry pushback against the decision to pause new grant funding while the review is underway. Although no new funding will be announced before the final report in the last quarter of 2023, existing grant programs continue to receive funding of up to $100 million.
Husic acknowledged the need for action, saying that the government’s role is to make people feel they all have a place to contribute. He hopes the review will identify the reasons why women are underrepresented in STEM despite the investment, and also address broader issues of representation in the tech sector, including those facing people from First Nations backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with a disability, and members of the LGBTI community.
Mikaela Jade, a Cabrogal woman and founder of Indigenous-designed edtech provider Indigital, was confirmed as a member of the review’s expert panel. Industry representative group Science & Technology Australia has also praised the review, stating that clear action to eliminate barriers to participation for women and underrepresented groups is key to creating the “future powered by science” envisaged by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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