December 2022 • PharmaTimes Magazine • 14-15
// RESEARCH //
STEM sell
Industry is struggling to attract talent, as science, technology, engineering and maths representation worsens
Research from the University of Reading has revealed that students rule themselves out of, or into, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) disciplines, based on stereotyped views of what makes a typical student.
The study cited patriarchy, white supremacy, classism and ableism as having a major influence on who can study biology, engineering, mathematics or physics. These concerning findings highlight the imperative need to improve equitable access to STEM education, as there are clearly tremendous barriers still existing in this space.
Crucially, these barriers are hindering a range of industries who are struggling to appeal to young and diverse STEM talent. Improving diversity will be essential in bridging the skills gap in these industries that are under additional strain from the cost-of-living crisis.
One major barrier to many young people from under-represented backgrounds pursuing STEM careers in higher education is based on lack of affordability. With the global cost-of-living squeeze, this will set progress in this space back by years, as the industry is also perceived as lacking in support.
Reading University’s findings are directly supported by recent research from 3M’s State of Science Index (SOSI), which tracks global attitudes towards science. With 87% of SOSI respondents stating that is it important to increase diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields, more needs to be done to promote STEM careers to diverse talent. Companies like 3M have a crucial role to play in bridging the gap between education and employment, where stereotyped representation in STEM often still prevails.
The under-representation in the industry is not just a societal problem. A lack of diversity in the workforce has a genuine impact on the performance of businesses as it misses out on a vast pool of ideas, experience, backgrounds and ways of thinking. There is real value in this – research from Cloverpop, a decision intelligence platform, showed that more diverse teams make better decisions, are more innovative and are more productive.
By encouraging and promoting a more diverse workplace culture, organisations are establishing a catalyst of ideation, innovation and creativity. This can only be a good thing, particularly with the complexity of the issues that we face in the modern world.
Cost of the cost-of-living crisis
Despite the need to diversify the STEM workforce, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is only going to amplify the challenge. According to the Office of National Statistics, among all adults, 43% reported that they would not be able to save money in the next 12 months; this is the highest this percentage has been since the question was first asked.
For people that are already discouraged from pursuing a STEM career due to the perceptions and stereotypes around the industry, the ongoing lack of disposable income is only going to make this option even less appealing.
Furthermore, research commissioned by People Like Us highlighted that the difficulties caused by the cost-of-living crisis are hitting marginalised communities the hardest. Over a third of people from racially diverse backgrounds can no longer afford to pay their bills, rent, or mortgage each month compared to a quarter of people from white backgrounds.
The crisis is hitting everyone hard, but the impact is disproportionate. This will only widen the diversity gap in the STEM industry further.
The state of science
3M’s SOSI report has revealed the indisputable urgency for STEM skills across Europe, with only two million STEM graduates leaving tertiary education each year, which is a wider reflection of preconceived notions and financial barriers to who can take part in and excel in these disciplines. 47% of SOSI respondents stated that affordability is a top barrier to pursuing STEM education – something that will only worsen amid a cost-of-living crisis and recession.
‘Under-representation in the industry is not just a societal problem. A lack of diversity in the workforce has a genuine impact on the performance’
If organisations are going to plug this gap, they must take responsibility and find ways to drive an influx of talent into the industry. Initiatives must be put in place by these enterprises to change the way that the industry is viewed, to showcase that diversity is celebrated and to alleviate the financial concerns that currently hinder accessibility.
3M’s report found that in the UK, 76% of Britons say there is a lack of access to STEM including too few STEM educators/teachers or classes in school (47%) and a lack of internet access (15%). But inside STEM organisations there is a vast array of skilled engineers, scientists and mathematicians that have a huge bank of knowledge that could be passed onto the workforce of the future.
Encouraging initiatives like school visits and partnerships with schools to expose young people to the wide range of careers STEM education can offer help. For example, here at 3M we run a successful community programme that connects schools with our major manufacturing sites, where they can visit and engage with our volunteer STEM Ambassadors and advocates.
These STEM Ambassadors work with schools to show that scientists and engineers do not all spend their lives wearing white coats working alone in laboratories. They demonstrate that a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers is open to people with STEM qualifications.
Through them, we aim to engage and motivate students to choose science, technology, engineering and maths when the time comes to consider qualifications and careers.
Improving diversity in STEM
52% of the respondents to 3M’s SOSI report stated that science is very important to everyday life and 87% agree that in the future, the world will be more dependent on scientific knowledge than ever before.
Clearly then, people understand the importance of STEM and yet we still are experiencing a lack of talent entering the industry. The challenge then remains, how can we translate the value placed on STEM into a meaningful reason to pursue a career in the industry?
Attracting diverse talent into the industry and focusing on the gender gap would be a good place to start. According to the WISE campaign, women make up just 26.6% of the core STEM workforce. However, these percentages vary according to sector. For example, women IT professionals currently account for 21% of the technology workforce, while female engineers account for only 12.5%.
If we could drive up these percentages to a more equal representation by inspiring a huge influx of female talent into the industry, the skills gap would no longer be a concern.
To do so, the occupational stereotypes that are so often a barrier to entry into the STEM industry must be removed. For the past three years, 3M, as a strategic partner of the British Science Association, has supported its Smashing Stereotypes campaign, which showcases 3M employees who have progressed through non-traditional routes to take on leadership roles, demonstrating that you don’t need a PhD and to wear a lab coat to be successful in science.
Furthermore, diverse and realistic role models must be promoted. At present, many of the role models that receive airtime and publicity are the pioneering, game-changing individuals that are transforming their industries.
These people are incredibly impressive and do of course help to break down stereotypes, but they are not always deemed to be realistic or attainable for a young person considering a career in STEM. It is important that we also promote more ‘normal, everyday’ role models that are relatable and showcase that there is a place for everyone, from every background in STEM.
We must find a way to address the skills gap currently faced by the STEM industry. We are currently missing out on a huge population of scientists, engineers and mathematicians that are being discouraged from entering the industry by outdated stereotypes and barriers. This must change.
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the threat of an impending recession, organisations must step up and do more now to smash stereotypes, promote realistic role models and improve STEM access for everyone, everywhere.
Sarah Chapman is Technical Leader and Advocate for Diversity in science, technology, engineering and maths at 3M. Go to 3m.co.uk
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