ARE WOMEN NEEDED IN AEROSPACE FOR ENGINEERING THE FUTURE? September 9, 2015 Chiara Bisagni Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Faculty of Aerospace Engineering TU Delft

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics In an University Lab... A woman? She is probably not able to park her car, and she wants to run a test on an aerospace structure in this lab…

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics In an International Committee Meeting… A woman? She is probably here only because they had to invite also a woman…

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Aviators Amelia Earhart: first woman to fly the Atlantic solo (1932) Charles Lindbergh: solo nonstop Atlantic flight on May 20–21, 1927

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Astronauts Valentina Tereshkova: first woman to have flown in space on 16 June 1963 Yuri Gagarin: on 12 April 1961 he became the first human to travel into space, and the first to orbit the earth

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Women… Gathering of current and past female NASA astronauts at Johnson Space Center, September 2012

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Looks like an aerospace engineer at NASA…

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Women in selected STEM occupations Sources: AAUW analysis of data from U.S. Census Bureau (1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000); L. M. Frehill analysis of data from U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011, 2014)

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Women in engineering, computing and other occupations Sources: L. M. Frehill analysis of data from U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Bachelor’s degrees awarded in engineering Sources: L. M. Frehill analysis of National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (2014).

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Retention in Engineering Sources: L. M. Frehill analysis of National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (2010a, 2010b).

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Pay gap Sources: L. M. Frehill analysis of U.S. Census Bureau (2014).

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics 48 European Universities of Science and Technology Source: Results of the CESAER Gender Equality Survey 2013/2014 presented at CESAER Gender Equality Workshop, Vienna University of Technology, November 2014

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Source: Results of the CESAER Gender Equality Survey 2013/2014 presented at CESAER Gender Equality Workshop, Vienna University of Technology, November 2014 Women in FP7 actions

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics AIRBUS In 2014, 17% of AIRBUS workforce and 19% of AIRBUS recruits were women (despite the low number of women studying engineering subjects - 15% to 18% only). In December 2014, women held a little more than 10% of senior managers and executive positions (10.5% in core countries). AIRBUS is on target with respect to its hiring target for female engineers -- currently ~20% with an aim to reach 25%. Source: Rachel Schroeder, Head of Employment Marketing, Airbus S.A.S. and Airbus Group

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Actual situation More than ever before in history, girls are studying and excelling in science and mathematics. Yet the dramatic increase in girls’ educational achievements in scientific and mathematical subjects has not been matched by similar increases in the representation of women working as engineers. Women made up just 12 percent of working engineers in Chemical and Biological EngineeringCivil EngineeringMechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics Are women needed in aerospace for engineering the future? The representation of women in engineering matters  Our countries simply can’t afford to loose half of the workforce in the technical fields.  Diversity in the workforce contributes to creativity, productivity, and innovation.  The society cannot ignore the perspectives of half the population, as women’s experiences-along with men’s experiences-should inform and guide the direction of engineering and technical innovation.

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics What can we do? Combating stereotypes and biases We all hold gender biases, shaped by cultural stereotypes in the wider culture, that affect how we evaluate and treat one another. While explicit gender bias -that is, self-reported bias- is declining, implicit or unconscious gender bias remains widespread. Cultivating a sense of belonging Perhaps because of this combination of stereotypes, biases, and values, women often report that they don’t feel as if they belong in engineering and computing fields. Removing workplace barriers Female engineers, who were most satisfied with their jobs and do not leave these fields after years of preparation, worked for organizations that provided clear paths for advancement, gave employees challenging assignments that helped develop and strengthen new skills, remove pay gap, support for balancing work and nonwork roles.

Chiara Bisagni, Aerospace Structures and Computational Mechanics To young female engineers: do not forget that…  Aerospace engineering offers broad and high-quality job opportunities  Engineering skills and competences are learned, not innate, so successful engineers are willing to practice to develop their skills and persist through difficulties  Adversities are a common experience for everyone, so challenging coursework does not selectively signal to students that they do not belong in engineering  Believe in yourself and your capacities!  Be passionate!