International Women & Girls in Science Day celebrates women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). From the climate crisis to pandemics, women around the world are playing vital roles in solving the most pressing issues of our time.
In celebration, we’re hosting a blog series featuring women from across the Heart of the South West‘s STEM sectors. In this blog, we speak to Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, about STEM research, encouraging more girls to study STEM subjects, and her advice for women interested in pursuing science and technology.
Over the past 30 years, Judith’s research has focused on the interface between science and policy-making, and the effective use of evidence in decision-making. In 2012 Judith was awarded a CBE for services to scientific research, and she became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth in 2016. Judith is a member of the Heart of the South West LEP Board, and of the new Great South West pan regional partnership Board, she is a Trustee of the Marine Biological Association and a Director of the National Centre for Universities and Business.
We asked Judith what STEM research is like at the University of Plymouth. Judith said: “The University of Plymouth is a STEM-rich university. Our largest world-leading areas of research are in marine and maritime – from offshore renewables to marine autonomy to marine cyber-security and from marine conservation to clean marine and maritime logistics (Marine Institute). We have a longstanding commitment to sustainability and our Sustainable Earth Institute supports research on climate change; sustainable oceans; the effects of chemicals on the natural world; agri-tech research and building methods for energy-efficient homes.”
The University of Plymouth is also involved with leading health research. Judith said: “Current medical and health research includes on brain tumours with highly advanced brain imaging facilities; antimicrobial resistance; dementia treatments and care; progressing Parkinson’s interventions; developing digital health interventions to support patients with their care.”
Judith believes that encouraging diversity in STEM brings huge benefits to places of education and research. “Diversity in the work environment is incredibly powerful. While the STEM discussion of gender diversity has tended to focus on women and girls, it is also highly relevant to ask why some careers are not apparently equally attractive to men and boys as they are to women and girls.”
At the University of Plymouth there are undergraduate courses where the majority of students are female – for example, all types of nursing have over 90% female students; biomedical sciences, animal sciences, psychology, ecology, environmental sciences and zoology all over 65%.
The STEM subjects with the lowest percentage of female students (below 20%) are civil engineering; mechanical engineering; electrical and electronic engineering; computer science; software engineering. Yet women and girls have huge contributions to make in all these subjects and related careers.
Judith’s advice to girls and women considering studying STEM subjects is to: “Start by finding a subject that you are passionate about. After all, devoting several years of your life to studying a particular subject takes energy and commitment, so being fascinated by the subject is an important first step. Certainly, this is more important than choosing a subject based solely on a specific career you think you might want to go into (unless there are clear professional requirements – such as medicine). Let your curiosity guide you; and don’t be put off if a subject has traditionally been viewed as male-dominated.”
There are many ways the University of Plymouth supports and encourages women to pursue a career in STEM. They offer subjects where national campaigns have been running for years to support women and girls into STEM with some success. The University’s contribution to ‘Girls into Geosciences’ activity has won national awards and recognition, and they work with professional bodies, such as WES (Women’s Engineering Society) and WISE (Women in Science and Engineering). The University also ensures to raise the profile of female students by putting them forward for awards such as the Women In Property Award and South West Women in Construction.
The University also prides itself as a supportive employer for women in STEM, with additional support in place for staff returning from care, maternity and paternity leave to help reinvigorate their research after time away. Mentoring support is available to help women achieve promotions, enhance their CVs, and develop key skills in writing and interviews.
The University’s staff support networks cover a range of issues, including a women’s network; parents and carers; menopause; LGBTQ+; grief and bereavement.
“It’s vital to encourage more girls into studying STEM subjects, and I’m looking forward to supporting women and girls as they advance their careers.”
Discover more about the University of Plymouth.
