5th Gender & STEM Network Conference

STEM Education for the New Work Order: Policy, Practice and Partnerships

Thu 29 July – Fri 30 July, 2021, The University of Sydney, Australia

Host: Prof Helen Watt and Assoc prof Judy Anderson

The 2021 Network conference brought together researchers, educators, policymakers, industry representatives and the public to interrogate person- in-context influences towards, or away from, diverse STEM pathways across stages and settings. What are the needs for a STEM workforce of 2030? New, interdisciplinary drivers are transforming work and education policy and practice in response to social and environmental challenges and technological advancement. What is the role of STEM for the new work order, and how can we engage and prepare all young people including girls and women?

Themes included:

  • individual, family, teacher and peer processes which impact STEM engagement and participation;
  • key factors and good practices to promote vs deter STEM engagement and learning within school, university and workplaces;
  • positive action measures: STEM initiatives, schemes, networks and organizations;
  • developments in STEM & preparing workers for the future;
  • the role of higher education institutes, government, industry, public policy and career development policies to enhance women’s and men’s participation in STEM research, commercialization and public impact.

More from the 5th Gender & STEM Network Conference

  • Conference Program
  • Book of abstracts
  • Selected papers presented at the 5th Network Gender & STEM Conference, are published in a Special Issue of the ‘International Journal of Gender Science and Technology’ in 2022:
    • Vol. 14, No. 2
    • Addressing gender inequities in STEM through interdisciplinary perspectives
    • Guest Editors: Helen M. G. Watt, Erin Mackenzie, & Tracy L. Durkse