W‐STEM Project
Co-funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme of the European Union from 2019 to 2022, the W-STEM Project aimed to enhance strategies and mechanisms to attract, admit, and support women in STEM higher education programmes across Latin America. A consortium of 15 universities from Latin America and Europe collaborated to assess gender equality in STEM enrolment and retention rates. Targeting decision-makers and academic staff in higher education institutions, the project focused on developing and implementing institutional policies, strategies, and organizational frameworks to foster greater participation of women at the undergraduate level. Through a series of outreach activities, a mobile app, a mentoring network, and events, W-STEM sought to inspire girls and young women in the final years of secondary education to pursue STEM studies, while providing targeted support during their first year to ensure their retention and support their entry to the STEM workforce. Additionally, the project delivered an online training package to equip higher education institutions with effective tools and practices for promoting gender inclusion and equity in STEM education.
Contributed by: Alicia García Holgado (coordinator), Universidad de Salamanca, Spain,Angeles Dominguez, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
- Implementing policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity and equity - to create work environments that attract, retain and advance women scientists
- Developing innovative and inspiring educational strategies and initiatives - to open educational pathways for girls in science
- Enhancing the visibility of female role models - to dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science
Alicia García Holgado (Universidad de Salamanca) and Angeles Dominguez (Tecnologico de Monterrey)