Madeleine Pomroy: In 10 years has anything changed for Women and Girls in Science?
We spoke to six women – undergraduates and researchers from the University of Warwick – to learn about their experiences of nurturing talent in girls and women in stem. There remain barriers entry with the UN reporting only 12% of members in national science academies are women. And for women and girls marginalised by culture, disabilities, rural deprivation and those who identify as LGBTQ+ – the barriers to entry and progression are even higher.
It’s been 10 years since the UN announced the first International Day of Women and Girls in Science to highlight the gender gap in Stem-related fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the slow progress of women into senior positions. As of 2023, the number of women graduates in Stem had increase by 5% to just 35% since 2014, when the Awareness Day launched.
Madeleine Pomroy
Third year undergraduate studying Mechanical Engineering, The University of Warwick
"I joined Warwick to study mechanical engineering partly because of Warwick Racing, and due to the facilities and reputation. Warwick Racing is our universities extra-curricular, student run Formula student team, for which I’ve now been voted to be Team Principal. Every year we design, build and test a new car and compete against other universities at the annual competition at Silverstone in July."
What inspired you to study engineering?
"I had a place on a Girls on Track Day, which is a scheme run by the FIA to promote girls in motorsport. This day was at the London Formula E race, and we got shown around all the areas for example the broadcasting centre, media centre and the pits. On this day I briefly met Susie Wolf, who is former professional racing driver and managing director of the F1 Academy, she was extremely inspirational, and after that, I definitely knew I was going to study engineering."
Were you supported in choosing to study science?
"My family has a passion for motorsport and cars, but at school I had never considered engineering as a pathway. However, after the day at the Formula E race, I was very supported in applying to university and pursuing engineering as a degree. I'm now going to go back to the school to talk about engineering as I think it is something that it is so incredible. In year 12 and 13 there were around 80 of us and only eight of us took physics. It is just like the fun bit of physics, maths and building stuff. It’s perfect for me."
What is the ratio of women to men in engineering?
"Engineering is definitely male dominated, although that is something that is slowly changing. It's not always the easiest because, even if it's subconscious, you are not the same as many of the people around you. But in the Warwick Racing team I definitely don't feel like an outsider and the worst part of it is getting over the self-fear. You have to have the confidence to put yourself out there, believe in yourself, and ask questions."
How do we encourage more girls into science?
"I’m trying to build the encouragement for more girls to get into engineering as currently there are not many. It is great that women are being encouraged, and especially because outreach was something that changed my careers path, I am really passionate about it. I know as a fact that girls can do engineering just as well as boys can. I think we can change the narrative."
