Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Name	Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Formation	1984
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	United Kingdom

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is a British organisation aimed at increasing the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through advocacy, outreach and policy engagement. Founded in 1984, WISE has collaborated with institutions, charities and corporations across the United Kingdom and internationally to address gender imbalance in technical professions. The organisation works with schools, universities, professional bodies and government-linked agencies to create pathways for women and girls into STEM careers.

History and Origins

WISE traces roots to initiatives in the 1980s that linked feminist activism with professional organisations such as the Equal Opportunities Commission (United Kingdom), Engineering Council and industry partners including Rolls-Royce Holdings and British Telecom. Early collaborations involved academic partners like Imperial College London and University of Manchester and policy bodies such as the Department for Education (United Kingdom) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Influences included campaigns by figures associated with Women’s Engineering Society and research from centres such as the Tizard Centre and Institute of Physics. Internationally, WISE engaged with programmes akin to initiatives by the European Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Participation and Representation

Participation trends documented by WISE reference labour surveys and studies from organisations like the Office for National Statistics and reports linked to the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering. Representation of women in fields such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering and information technology remains lower than in life sciences, with comparative data drawing on analyses from Higher Education Statistics Agency and workforce studies by EngineeringUK. Intersectional analyses have drawn on research affiliated with University College London, London School of Economics, University of Cambridge and international research hubs such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University to assess barriers faced by women from diverse backgrounds. Sectoral case studies reference employers including BAE Systems, Siemens, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and BP.

Education and Outreach Programs

WISE runs outreach programmes in partnership with schools and higher education institutions including King’s College London, University of Edinburgh and University of Birmingham, and collaborates with professional bodies like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the British Computer Society. Programmes have included mentoring linked to networks similar to those of Women in Technology International and scholarship initiatives inspired by trusts such as the Wellcome Trust and Leverhulme Trust. Outreach often features role models drawn from alumni of organisations such as NASA, European Space Agency, CERN and industrial partners including Shell and National Grid plc. Curriculum engagement has referenced standards influenced by agencies like the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills and assessment frameworks analogous to those from the Education Endowment Foundation.

Workplace Environment and Career Advancement

WISE addresses workplace culture and career progression through guidance aligned with accreditation bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, professional registration via the Engineering Council and equality frameworks inspired by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Employment practices, flexible working and parental leave policies are compared against corporate case studies from Glencore, Unilever, Microsoft, Google, IBM and the Civil Service (United Kingdom). Leadership development initiatives mirror programmes offered by the British Chambers of Commerce and executive training at business schools including London Business School and Judge Business School, Cambridge. Data on promotion and pay gaps draw on analyses by the TUC and research produced by think tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Policy, Advocacy, and Institutional Initiatives

WISE engages with national and devolved policy actors including the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to influence STEM workforce strategy and funding allocations. Advocacy aligns with initiatives from the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and international frameworks from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and European Research Council. Institutional partnerships include collaborations with funding bodies such as UK Research and Innovation and grant-making foundations like the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. Campaigns have referenced legislative and regulatory debates involving entities such as the Equality Act 2010 (United Kingdom) and inquiries by committees of the House of Commons.

Notable Contributions and Role Models

WISE highlights role models spanning academia, industry and public life, including scientists and engineers associated with institutions like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Francis Crick Institute and organisations such as Tesco and Network Rail. Profiles promoted by WISE have included women with careers connected to awards and institutions such as the Nobel Prize, Turner Prize (in interdisciplinary contexts), Royal Society Fellowship, Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship and professional honours from bodies like the Institute of Physics and the Royal Institution. WISE celebrates examples from diverse backgrounds including alumni of Imperial College London, University of Leeds, University of Glasgow, University of Sheffield and international peers from Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University.

Category:Women in science Category:Engineering organizations