Chemistry has always been a passion of mine, and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been engaging in outreach with universities and organising conferences. I’m often asked why I didn’t pursue a career in academia. My answer is usually that my PhD was industry-funded, and I found the industrial path more compelling. But the deeper truth is that no one ever suggested academia as a viable option. At the time, there were no female lecturers in my university department, so it simply didn’t seem like a path open to me.
Throughout my career in the chemical industry, I’ve never had a female manager or a female role model to look up to. That absence has shaped my journey—and it’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about supporting woman in career development. I want to help ensure that the next generation sees more possibilities than I did
At Merritt Recruitment, we’re passionate advocates for creating meaningful opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, despite progress in recent decades, there remains a significant gender gap, especially in senior and leadership roles. This isn’t due to a shortage of talent, ambition, or potential among women. Instead, it reflects systemic and societal barriers that continue to discourage and hinder women from thriving in STEM careers.
The Facts: The Reality of the STEM Gender Gap
Currently, women represent only 26% of the UK’s STEM workforce, with even lower numbers in specific areas such as engineering, where just 15.7% of roles are occupied by women¹.
Although there’s been incremental growth in areas like computer science (women now make up 23% of computer science students, up from 19% in recent years), achieving true parity remains decades away at the current pace².
This persistent disparity isn't simply about numbers; it's about missed opportunities for women, businesses, and society.
Beyond Barriers: Empowering Confidence and Ambition
Women often underestimate their own abilities in STEM subjects, despite achieving equal or better academic performance compared to their male counterparts³. This confidence gap, coupled with a lack of visible role models, can make women hesitate when it comes to aiming for higher positions or transitioning into STEM from other fields.
At Merritt, we believe overcoming these barriers begins with recognising the incredible capabilities and potential that women bring to the table.
Inspirational Facts: Women Leading the Way in STEM
Despite challenges, women have been consistently at the forefront of some of the most groundbreaking innovations. For instance, women are significantly shaping emerging fields such as sustainable technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, and data science—areas where their unique perspectives are invaluable.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Women account for nearly 32% of the renewable energy workforce, which significantly exceeds traditional energy sectors⁴. As sustainability becomes critical globally, women can lead the drive toward environmentally conscious innovations.
Healthcare Technology and Biotech: Women are notably prominent in biotech and medical technology roles, contributing significantly to advances in personalised medicine and healthcare innovation.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science: Female leaders in AI, such as Joy Buolamwini, have spearheaded initiatives to tackle biases in technology, highlighting how diverse teams lead to more ethical, effective outcomes.
Encouraging Transferrable Skills: It’s Never Too Late
Women from other disciplines or career paths often underestimate how well their existing skills translate into STEM. If you have analytical abilities, strong communication skills, creativity, or project management experience, these attributes can easily transfer into successful STEM careers.
For instance, careers in data analytics, UX/UI design, and science communication specifically benefit from interdisciplinary skills—fields that are rapidly expanding and eagerly recruiting diverse talent.
Incentives and Opportunities: Attracting Women to STEM
Organisations keen on attracting talented women are increasingly providing incentives to encourage graduates, undergraduates, and career changers:
Graduate and Undergraduate Programmes: Scholarships, paid internships, mentorship programmes, and placements targeted specifically at women studying STEM subjects can provide a valuable stepping stone into the industry.
Returnships and Re-skilling: Dedicated programmes designed to support women returning from career breaks or transitioning from other sectors, providing tailored training, flexible work patterns, and ongoing mentoring.
Leadership and Development Programmes: Specialised training, sponsorships, and mentorship designed to cultivate female leadership in STEM, preparing women to confidently step into senior roles.
Creating Lasting Change: Practical Steps for Organisations
If you’re a company looking to foster genuine inclusivity and diversity, here’s how you can start:
Cultivate an Inclusive Culture: Ensure your workplace actively values and supports diversity through flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, and clear pathways for career advancement.
Tackle Unconscious Bias: Regular training to recognise and eliminate unconscious bias can transform hiring and promotion practices, creating fairer and more inclusive workplaces.
Highlight Female Role Models: Showcase and celebrate the women who are already making strides within your organisation or industry, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Promote Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities: Encourage applications from women with transferrable skills, highlighting roles in emerging and interdisciplinary STEM fields.
Conclusion: Building a Brighter, Balanced Future
The underrepresentation of women in STEM isn’t just a loss for women; it’s a loss for innovation, productivity, and societal progress. By actively removing barriers, offering meaningful incentives, and showcasing inspirational successes, we can collectively pave the way for a richer, more diverse STEM workforce.
At Merritt Recruitment, we’re committed to partnering with organisations that are serious about driving change—empowering women to step confidently into careers that will shape our future. Together, we can ensure STEM becomes a place where talent and potential, rather than gender, determine success.
Let's inspire the next generation of women in STEM, today.
References
¹ STEM Women (2024), Gender Imbalance in STEM Whitepaper
² STEM Women (2024), Women in STEM Statistics and Progress
³ Arxiv (2020), Gender Confidence Gap in STEM
⁴ International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2023), Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective