3 rd March 2010 Jane Butcher, Assistant Director UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Policy influence for UK agenda for women in SET

UKRC mission and approach Examples of policy influence Our work with professional bodies Policy messages and proposals from UKRC Endorsement from this community Doing policy influence?

UKRC Vision By 2030 we will have an environment in UK employment, research and policy-making in science, engineering, technology and the built environment, in which women contribute to, participate in and share the benefit equally to their male counterparts. This long term vision can only be achieved if all stakeholders within science, engineering and technology take the necessary action to make it happen.

UKRC Mission UKRC works to improve the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology occupations in industry, research, academia and public service, to benefit the future productivity of the UK and the lifetime earnings and career aspirations of women. It is the UK’s leading centre providing information and advisory services to employers and organisations in the SET sectors and supporting women entering, returning and progressing in these fields. UKRC acts in partnership to create an integrated and comprehensive approach. It is guided by industry and supports the work of Women in SET organisations

UKRC Promises to Support business and organisations to increase the recruitment, retention and progression of women scientists, engineers and technologists Advise and support women to get into, get established, get back and get on in SET career paths Engage in policy debate, the provision of research and data, and strategic influence within the SET community in support of its mission

Stereotyping and unconscious bias National Policy & Legislation Equalities Bill no systematic gender inclusion in education, employment or science policy Personal Influencing Environment Home Environment Division of Labour Family Influences Exposure to SET careers & role models Career Aspirations Employment Professional Identity vs Gender Identity Workplace Culture Employment Practice Recruitment Policies Image of SET Image of Careers Post 16 Education ‘Man made’ SET Departments ‘chilly climate’ unconducive learning environment Transition to relevant Employment Pre 16 Education & Enrichment School options qualifications STEM teaching & enthusing Career Advice UK Society Gendered Roles Gender identity vs occupational identity Media representations Lack of confidence Influencing environment

Influencing Policy Post- Graduate Review Research Excellence Framework Consultation Gibson Review on Engineering Construction Vision for Science and Society Apprenticeships Bill and Inquiry Panel on Fair Access to the Professions Science and Learning and Science for Careers Expert Groups Equality Bill Extension of the Right to Request Flexible Working Adult Advancement Service Organisational Equality Schemes – OFSTED, ODA, DIUS, BBSRC ELQ policy

UKRC work with Professional Bodies Key influencers, leaders and champions for the equality agenda Need to lead by example of action on their own culture and practice SPIDER initiative developed with IOP, RAEng and RSC to link the outward facing and internal actions of professional bodies UKRC has engagement with around 30 professional bodies at various levels – mentoring schemes, internal policy, projects 10 Professional Bodies signed up to UKRC CEO Charter Participation in pilot of SET Fair Standard and stakeholder engagement to customise the product for this community SPIDER event for equality activists and practitioners in professional bodies on 25 th March 2010 at Royal Institution

6 messages to new government Leadership and top level support for change Attracting and retaining women and girls to study STEM Making the most of the talents of UK’s trained and qualified people - building the workforce SET learning and employment free from gender stereotyping Measures to make equality in SET happen Support and fund the UKRC in its work, and strengthen its role in leading, providing services, influencing and innovating

Leadership and top level support for change A champion in government Targets for 30% women in associate/professional workforce and 10% in vocational paths Promote to private sector and enlist business champions Step up action for 50% new SET public body appointments – Women 40% by 2020 Voluntary commitment 30% private boards – by 2020

Attracting and retaining women and girls to study STEM Tackle the whole education pipeline to sustain interest and take up Improve STEM enrichment – 50% requirement for girls take up Targets at A level and degrees in key STEM subjects National atypical work experience programme for girls and adult women Access to careers advice for adults regardless of prior qualifications Professional bodies to support adult careers strategy Fund integrated national programmes to increase women qualifying, with pathways between vocational and professional routes – market adult apprenticeships to women

Making the most of the talents of UK’s trained and qualified people - building the workforce Gender-proof mainstream workforce and active labour market schemes, ensuring access for returners, regardless of prior qualifications Incentives to SET business (esp. SMEs) to take up gender equality solutions Industry benchmark for reporting on gender implementation and key indicators such as quality part-time posts and flexible working Assessment of research excellence to include equality, diversity and inclusivity of research environment Maximise flexibility in research funding to increase work-life balance, maternity/parental leave and quality career development Fund central co-ordination and services to raise standards and drive innovation on gender equality

SET learning and employment free from gender stereotyping A funded integrated framework and strategy on gender stereotyping – including teaching and learning, STEM enrichment, careers services, intermediaries, funding agencies and regulatory bodies High profile national media campaign on annual cycle – for parents, young people, business, adults- and tackle stereotyping in advertising by good practice and regulation Ensure learning and career support is available to girls and women at all stages – and fund networks and organisations for women in SET A lead minister to champion, drive and co-ordinate across government

Measures to make equality in SET happen Enact and implement strong equalities legislation – responding to women’s diversity, enabling choice and ensuring compatibility of family and career for women and men, to encourage a broad-based culture change in men’s role as carers Develop public sector procurement policy which drives equality outcomes A proactive approach to increase inclusion, widen diversity and increase women’s social mobility through SET careers Lead and incentivise an integrated approach to improve the proportion of women working in SET at all levels

Support and fund the UKRC in its work, and strengthen its role in leading, providing services, influencing and innovating Strategic leadership Specialist services and influencing and supporting mainstream provision Innovating new ways to improve women’s participation

Getting most impact Gender in STEM/science policy STEM in gender/equality policy Equality and STEM into core economic and workforce policy

How do we best DO policy influence? Sector specific or broader focus? Proactive or responsive? Individual and diverse inputs or concerted, collaborative and representative? Campaigning agendas and wider public engagement?

Economic and political context Potential change in government Recession Skills and STEM growth Demographics Inclusion

Equalities context Women and SET Strategy, 2003 Gender Duty 2006 Equality Bill 2009 Women and Work Commission 2006 and 2009 Women’s Employment Strategy 2010

Gender Equality and SET skills growth Gender equality in SET is a major component of future growth Evidence that equality in SET will not ‘just happen’ without intervention (She Figures, EC, 2009) Actions must dovetail with skills, STEM growth sectors and equality policy agendas

Gender Equality and SET skills growth Gender inequality = market failure – most visible in SET occupations Workplaces cannot afford not to change (McKinsey’s 2007,2008)