Diversity is an integral part of society, something that cannot be erased and yet something that can always be altered to maximize. Many industries, specifically STEM, struggle with inclusion. Statistically, STEM is dominated by men and has been for centuries. How can we change the tides of time to promote diversity in STEM for the future?
Firstly, one may wonder what exactly makes diversity so important. Diversity has many benefits for any industry or business. Perhaps the most important is that diversity helps reduce discrimination and racism in society, normalizing the existence and achievements of minorities. This in turn creates a more balanced and fairer world emphasizing representation. Additionally, companies and industries that have diverse employees are shown to have high rates of productivity and overall performance, compared to white and male dominated ones. So not only does it improve the world, but it boasts economical improvements as well!
But what makes diversity? Many establishments believe it’s as simple as hiring POC and women to their staff and calling it a day. Often times these types of establishments don’t strive for innovation, though, and the “diverse” staff is usually treated poorly and or dismissed entirely. It is unfortunately common for diversity hires to simply exist to make the company “look good.” So for any place to be true diversity advocates, the diverse staff must have integral and significant roles. They should not be hired to simply sit and look pretty while their ideas are dismissed. True diversity breeds creativity and encourages diverse hires to actively contribute and build ideas.
STEM is an incredibly imbalanced field in terms of diversity. In an excellent article by Regent University, the author describes the causation of these lacking representation, including
“lack of racially and ethnically diverse mentors, limited access to advanced science courses, or other socioeconomic factors that could disproportionately affect these communities.”
In terms of women, many of them are dissuaded by the startling abundance of men in the industry. Studies show that a major contributor is a gender confidence gap between men and women. Women have reported concerns about “not being qualified for STEM jobs, STEM careers being too competitive/stressful, and, not having the right connections to succeed in the field.” The same imbalances and challenges exist for LGBTQ+ individuals, who encompass less than 20% of STEM. LGBTQ+ members of the STEM field face constant discrimination, harassment, or feel pressured to remain in the closet to avoid the aforementioned.
What can we do to increase diversity in STEM? The answers may seem complicated, but even the smallest of actions can do wonders for the community. Here’s a few ways you can help:
Give women, POC, and LGBTQ+ individuals space to speak their minds and share ideas
Follow small creators in STEM who promote diversity
Attend events centered on diversity and/or hosted by diverse individuals
Push for diversity at educational levels
Increase the number of diverse role models and their visibility
Provide support in whichever way possible
It’s up to us to secure a diverse future for STEM! Subscribe to our newsletter for more posts like these here at STEM From! Let us know in the comments ways you advocate and promote diversity!
Do you look at diversity when considering a school or study program?
0%Yes, I want to be around different cultures
0%No, it's not a major deciding factor for me
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