SIILMI in the words of its attendees: Contributions on Innovation, Research, and the Future of Women in Engineering (#1097)

Authors

Céspedes-Vindas, Adriana Lucia

Ojeda-Caicedo, Vilma Viviana

García De Cajén, Silvia

Montoya-Noguera, Silvana

Contreras-Ortiz, Sonia Helena

Abstract

In 2022, the first Latin American Symposium on Research and Innovation for Women in Engineering (SIILMI) was held. This event, organized by the Research Committee of the Matilda Chair, aims to build knowledge on strategies to achieve gender equality in engineering. This article gathers information provided by the participants of the three editions of SIILMI regarding research and innovative actions to promote women’s participation in engineering at their institutions, as well as the issues related to the gender gap and opportunities for future work. A large number of innovations were reported, including scholarships for women, workshops, talks, and activities to promote engineering careers, visibility of women leaders, institutional equality policies, initiatives for labor market insertion, curriculum design, awards, recognitions, and programs, among others. The focus of the research has been on measuring gender gaps, student dropout rates, leadership, labor market insertion, gender roles, and curriculum, among other topics. The issues mentioned include gaps, biases, discrimination, violence, machismo, and more. The most frequently mentioned topics by participants were: education, mentorships, policies, gaps, and violence, which clearly summarize the situation of gender inequality in engineering and the strategies that have been employed to address it. This article provides an overview of actions implemented in 259 Latin American institutions, including universities, university institutions, schools, associations, and companies, which can guide the development of policies to promote gender equality in engineering.