Women engineering their futures

In conjunction with International Women in Engineering Day, UTS will celebrate over 40 years of its Women in Engineering and IT program, demonstrating the university’s long-term commitment to gender equity in engineering and IT.

First known as Women in Engineering, the program was established in 1981, when women accounted for less than two per cent of engineering enrolments at UTS.

Led by a dedicated team of academic and professional staff, students and volunteers, the program takes a holistic and connected approach to address the barriers to participation – from primary school through to tertiary education, and into the workforce.

Verity Firth, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice & Inclusion) says the program is key to UTS’s social justice agenda, and our long-term commitment to gender equity.

"The Women in Engineering and IT program, through humble beginnings, has changed the professional trajectories of many of our female students and staff. These are women who would have been stopped in their tracks only a few decades ago, and who are now able to pursue careers in engineering," she says.

Professor Anne Gardener, Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, is a member of the faculty and has been involved in and experienced its growth and development over the years:

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to contribute to the work of this fantastic program. I look forward to UTS continuing to support gender balance and opportunities in key industries for our future such as Engineering and IT,” she says.

The Women in Engineering and IT program, through humble beginnings, has changed the professional trajectories of many of our female students and staff. These are women who would have been stopped in their tracks only a few decades ago, and who are now able to pursue careers in engineering.

Verity Firth
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice & Inclusion)

Since 1981, the program has encouraged girls and women to engage in engineering and IT throughout their study and careers by:  

Find out more about how you can lead social change and how UTS supports diversity and inclusion.

• collaborating with academic and professional staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students, industry, schools, government and the community

• creating and sharing new knowledge and contribute impactful research to inform practices in education and the workplace
• building an inclusive community to celebrate women in engineering and IT. 

   

Change in numbers

• School outreach is a particular focus of the program, via the STEM x Play and STEM x Impact initiatives for primary and high schools respectively, and working with girls and young women in regional and remote communities. In 2021, these programs reached 25 schools, 2,106 primary and high school students and 84 teachers.
• Scholarships and alternative pathways to study engineering and IT at UTS are also available. Since 2018, 151 women have received scholarships to support them in their education.
• The Lucy Mentoring Program and the Women in STEM Research (WiSR) Mentoring Program connect women (including cis- and trans-women) studying engineering or technology at UTS to industry and academic professionals for one-on-one mentoring opportunities. 762 students and 774 industry mentors from over 90 different organisations have been involved in the Lucy Mentoring Program Program since its launch in 2010.
• In 2020, the Gender Equity Ambassador Leadership Program was launched to equip staff, students and alumni with the skills, knowledge, and confidence, to be social change agents for gender equity. Ambassadors are provided training and tools to facilitate workshops, events and activities to actively contribute to gender equity in our university and local community (including schools).