The Educaweb portal has published an interview with the director of GenTIC, Milagros Sáinz, about the gender gap that persists in STEM fields and possible interventions from academic and professional guidance to promote girls’ interest in science and technology.

 

In the interview, Milagros Sáinz highlights the need to collect sex- and gender-disaggregated data and pay attention to all disciplines in order to ensure a better understanding of gender inequalities in study choices. In fact, more girls than boys enrol in scientific secondary education, while mostly boys enrol in technological high schools. Nevertheless, many male secondary students are also oriented to non-STEM areas, especially linked to the social sciences.

 

For Milagros Sáinz, incorporating the gender perspective in the training of professionals dedicated to academic and professional guidance, as well as in the training offered to families, is essential to break stereotypes and improve awareness of the influence that gender biases and the socialization process have in students’ interests and academic motivation.

 

Regarding the distinction between STEM and non-STEM fields, the researcher underlines the growing relevance of interdisciplinary teams in the technology sector in order to address current and future social challenges.

 

Read the full interview on the Educaweb page.

 

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels.