Engineering a more inclusive future for women in STEM

Author: Diana Petrowicz

Creating space for women in engineering isn’t a one-size-fits-all effort—it happens in classrooms, labs, workplaces, and boardrooms, and it involves everyone from educators and publishers to industry leaders and policymakers. Libraries also play a key role by supporting access to research that highlights gender equity and sparks important conversations. The Engineering eBook Collection includes titles that contribute to this dialogue, such as Advancing Women in Engineering by Dr. Bronwyn Chorlton.

In this blog, Dr. Chorlton shares insights from her research, the everyday challenges women face in engineering, and how small, thoughtful changes can lead to meaningful progress. This conversation is part of a wider dialogue on equity in STEM, reflected in many of the stories shared across Springer Nature’s platforms.

Tell us about your book, why did you decide to write it?

Our book was inspired by the many, many, many conversations that my co-author John Gales (York University) and I had together, as well as with practicing engineers, students, and academics about the challenges that they have faced in the profession.

It is so easy for a small thing to have a big impact on someone’s experience – for example, when a first-year engineering student goes to buy personal protective equipment for their first laboratory, what if they don’t even make steel-toed boots that come in their size? What if there is one pair of safety glasses labelled as being for women in the safety supplies store, and that pair of safety glasses is more expensive than the others (while also being inexplicably embellished with rhinestones). Of course, I saw and heard of many types of issues and challenges that were arising, big and small, the aforementioned is just one tiny example of a seemingly insignificant thing that can have an impact.

Who is your book aimed at and what impact do you hope it will have on your field of research and its readers?

The main question I aimed to answer was, how are the experiences of women in engineering unique? In Canada, we know that women leave the profession at higher rates than men, and even among those that graduate from an accredited undergraduate engineering program, fewer women than men are going on to becoming fully licensed engineers. I wanted to understand why that is – is the experience different among genders? What barriers are women facing? As a part of this, I surveyed over 700 people – engineers, academics, and engineering students – to understand what might be happening.

This book is meant for anyone active in engineering education or the engineering industry who wants to better understand the experiences of women in the field, and how they can support them. As a result, I think this book is particularly well suited to those in leadership positions.  I hope that this book has impact on several different levels – from simply understanding some of the challenges that women can face in the industry, to highlighting some of the recommendations that are outlined in each chapter and conclusion of the book.

How did you get into engineering?

I always loved Math growing up, but didn’t know exactly where that would take me. My father was an engineer, so while it was always clear he would love to see me as an engineer as well, there are so many misconceptions about what engineers really do and the impact that they can have.

Eventually, I was drawn to the Architecture Conservation and Sustainability Engineering program at Carleton University in Ottawa, as I wanted to blend my love of math with a creative angle. From there, I was hooked – particularly on structural engineering – and the rest is history.

How important is this field of research in the current environment? What influence does it have on current/future research, industry and policies?

I think that looking at the experiences of women in engineering is extremely important. There have been significant efforts to recruit women into the profession, and I think as a field we have a responsibility that to make sure that the profession we are recruiting them into is conducive to a rewarding career.

I hope that this research influences organizations in appreciating that there are different experiences being had – increasing awareness on creating more equitable and inclusive work and education environments. I hope that the results of the book encourage reflection on policies that could further support these groups – helping to promote the retention of women. This could revolve around themes of mentorship, collaboration, and resources, among other topics discussed in the book.

Have you faced any challenges as a female research/professional in engineering? If so, what were these challenges?

I think everyone faces challenges in their career from time to time. I think that many people who are not in the majority group of their field can tell you of times they’ve experienced microaggressions, outright discrimination, and systematic inequality. I think many people in these positions are often the only ones that look like them sitting at the table, and they have to speak up in order to have their voices heard. It can be hard!

How accepting is the engineering landscape for women in the field? What could be improved in your opinion?

Occasionally when I mention this area of interest to people, they will comment that the field of engineering has gotten a lot better in the past 10, 20, however many years. And it’s true! I think things have gotten better and I think things continue to get better.

That said, I think we still have a way to go. I think we need to get better at identifying unconscious biases that are woven throughout our thought processes and impact our decision making. These affect scenarios like hiring, how someone might be evaluated, and the roles they are expected to take during a project – all of which can affect a persons experience in their profession.

I also think we need to support women during periods of transition – for example, transitions from high school to university, transitioning to the workplace, etc. Looking at the case of students transitioning to university, recommendations we outlined in the book include that new initiatives to promote inclusion should be closely monitored and adapted as needed, with emphasis placed on promoting an inclusive peer culture which could be done through actively encouraging collaboration and mentorship.

There are several more areas of consideration and suggestions for improvement outlined in the book.

What advice would you give to female engineering students and those starting out in the industry based on your experience?

To engineering students, I would say that you belong here, and you can succeed here!

I think when people have a preconceived notion that they are not able to succeed, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy – they are less likely to follow up on the items they are struggling with, put in the hours to solve the tough problems they are working with. So know that you CAN succeed in what you’re working on – it might be tough, you might need to ask for help, but you can do it.

Which brings me to my next point, which is that if you have a question, ask it. The only questions I’ve ever regretted were the ones I didn’t ask. And likewise, if you want an opportunity, go for it – don’t hold back in raising your hand, or putting your name forward just because you might not be the perfect fit, or you’re concerned of what people might think. You never know what might happen unless you put yourself out there!

What should an organization consider when setting out to create a gender diverse workplace and the environment in which it can prosper? 

I think it is important to consider the local context – every organization will have its own unique strengths and challenges. Overall, I think it is important for organizations to have continual feedback from underrepresented groups about their experiences, and whether initiatives put in place to support these groups are effective. One theme we saw emerging from many participant responses was the importance of collaboration, and having input on the work they are doing. We found that engineers who reported greater ability to do collaborative work were more likely to say they wanted to remain in their current position (and beyond!), enhancing both the projects as well as cultivating a sense of community.

Empowering women in engineering with research and resources

Dr. Chorlton’s work is a great reminder that making engineering more inclusive isn’t just about big changes—it’s also about the everyday actions that help people feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether it’s through mentorship, better policies, or simply creating space for more voices, every effort matters. If you’re curious to hear from more women shaping the future of engineering, you’ll find inspiring perspectives from Alice Cline Parker, Alice E. Smith, Margaret Bailey, and Pamela M. Norris. Also, there’s a growing collection of author conversations with female researchers across disciplines sharing their experiences and insights.

You can learn more about how Springer Nature supports diversity and inclusion in research. And if you’re looking to bring this kind of content to your library, get in touch with us about adding the Engineering eBook Collection.

About the author:

Bronwyn Chorlton is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada.  She received her engineering doctorate from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2021. Her research background is focused on the discipline of structural fire engineering, and in particular the structural fire performance of historic and innovate timber products. In addition, Dr. Chorlton is a passionate supporter and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusivity in engineering and has led a multi-year research project supporting the retention of women in engineering.

Related content

• Supporting DEI in research: What researchers need from institutions
• Empowering women in science: How can organizations bridge the gender gap
• Paving the Way to A Sustainable Company: DEI Commitment
• Women’s inclusion in today’s science

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