Moving the dial towards gender parity in STEM
In 1984, the journey began. The Engineering Council collaborated with the Equal Opportunities Commission to launch the Women into Science and Engineering (WISE). Spearheaded by Baroness Beryl Platt, a mechanical engineer and Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission at the time, the campaign aimed to address the stark gender disparities in engineering.
At that time, women comprised only 7% of graduate engineers and 3% of professional engineers in the UK.
Fast forward 41 years, and women make up 26% of core STEM roles with WISE championing gender parity across all STEM sectors.
Learn more > The History of WISE
Our mission to achieve gender parity
Our mission at WISE is to achieve gender parity in the workplace, specifically in STEM fields. Steps towards this goal can be big or small, but they all matter in contributing to change, and we wish to celebrate them all.
What is gender parity? It’s more than a statistic; it’s a measure of balance. WISE, born out of the Finniston Report, originally a one-year campaign has spent four decades pushing boundaries and bridging gaps in science and engineering. Today, it stands as a beacon for gender parity, striving to create a world where everyone has an equal chance to excel in STEM.
Last year, WISE proudly introduced the National Women in Science and Engineering Day. This annual event, on 17 January 2025, is dedicated to honouring the achievements of women and allies in STEM. An initiative to spotlight the contributions of women and champions diversity within STEM disciplines.
Steps towards the larger goal of gender parity can be big or small, but they all matter in contributing to change, and we wish to celebrate them all. Our goal is to reach 30% by 2030, and we need your help! We’re looking for case studies, examples or success stories of how organisations or you as an individual have helped or are helping to move the dial towards gender parity in STEM, encouraging others to follow.
On Friday, 17 January, we invite you to share your case studies or success stories on social media with the hashtags #MoveTheDial and #WISEDay25.
Key information
Join the celebration by sharing your case studies or success stories of how you have helped or are helping to move the dial towards gender parity in STEM.
Who can get involved?
Individuals, organisations, allies, WISE members.
Where can you get involved?
On social media (Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn), and in your own email/newsletter or communication materials.
WISE Social Media:
Support National Women in Science and Engineering Day on social media - free resources
