Why is it important to have more women faculty in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)?
We are an increasingly technology-dependent world, and STEM skills are vital in keeping America globally competitive. It is critical that we allow all available interest and potential to flourish. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that STEM related occupations are expected to grow 8.0 percent by 2029, compared with 3.7 percent for all occupations.
With the rapid growth of STEM occupations, it is crucial to address the persistent barriers to women entering careers in STEM. A critical piece of this challenge is to transform the academy. Nationally, women earn 41% of the doctorates in STEM fields today, but make up only 38% of tenure-track faculty in those fields. At UMass Lowell in 2021, of the 442 tenure-track faculty, 46.2% percent are in Science and Engineering.