The conferences and special issues are an initiative of the “Network Gender & STEM: Educational and occupational pathways and participation”. The Network conferences have marked the beginning of a more coherent way of exchanging information, as collectively we work to find new ways to implement research findings in both policy and practice.

Patron and initiators

The patron of the Network Gender & STEM is professor Jacquelynne Eccles. Initiators of the network are professor Helen Watt and VHTO.

In 2007, Professor Helen Watt from The University of Sydney was invited as a keynote speaker at a VHTO conference. VHTO, the Dutch Expert Centre on Genderdiversity in STEM makes an effort in many different ways to increase the involvement of women and girls in science and technology in The Netherlands. Our discussions centred about the very many research studies and findings concerning gender and STEM participation, but also that different studies tend to focus on one or few aspects. We agreed it would have surplus value if relevant research results of the last few years could be interrelated, in order to be able to gain a more coherent view concerning gender and STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) from childhood to labour market. With this in mind, together we have formed our Network on this subject with members who undertake related research.

Members

The network has started open an ‘only for members’ Facebook group where network members can exchange relevant research results and discuss them among each other. In this way we hope the exchange of information will become more ‘dynamic’ and that it will open discussion on how research results could be integrated in new approaches to improve the underrepresentation of girls/women in STEM. You can find members of the Gender & STEM Network in all corners of the world!