On 11 February 2019 the UN marks the fourth annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This House of Lords Library Briefing provides a brief background to the day and examines the representation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and maths in the UK.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: 11 February 2019 (259 KB , PDF)
This briefing provides a brief background to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and why it was established by the UN, and examines women and girls in science in the UK. In the UK, women and girls remain underrepresented in many fields related to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) throughout the various stages of development. Analysis from WISE, a UK campaign to promote women in STEM, found that women made up 23% of core STEM occupations in 2017. The under-representation of women in STEM is often described as the ‘leaky pipeline’ problem: more women leave scientific fields at each stage of education and career progression than men. Barriers to women pursuing STEM are complex and multi-faceted but studies have found evidence that factors such as gender stereotypes and working cultures play a part. In answers to recent parliamentary questions, the Government identified a number of initiatives which it has created or supported that aim to increase women and girl’s participation in STEM, including the ‘year of engineering’ and the Stimulating Physics Network.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: 11 February 2019 (259 KB , PDF)
Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.
Renewable energy generation can depend on factors like weather conditions and daylight hours. Long-duration energy storage technologies store excess power for long periods to even out the supply. In March 2024, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said increasing the UK’s long-duration energy storage capacity would support the UK’s net zero plans and energy security. The government has announced an investment support scheme, to launch in 2025.
The Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL] aims to regulate the usage of algorithmic and automated decision-making systems across the public sector, making the use of such systems more transparent and fair, and mitigating against the risks arising from such technologies such as bias and discrimination. It is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat). It is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2024.
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