Action Alert | EXPAND Access to Opportunities: Prioritize Women of Color

The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) annual conference, EXPANDEO, took place Tuesday and Wednesday this week. This two-day event presents European Earth Observation companies the opportunity to discover market opportunities in varying sectors while networking and facilitating business growth. For the second year in a row, the FIRE Forum will also be hosted, bringing representatives from agriculture, energy, infrastructure, marine, raw materials, and urban development. 

While the mission is impressive, the access to this conference is not. Of the 69 speakers, 51 are men and 18 are women, with five women of color and 0 Black or Indigenous women. These numbers replicate existing barriers in the field. Men and white women continue to have access to opportunities that allow them to further their businesses while women of color and other gender minorities are left behind. We must do better.

 
 

Less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women, with only 5% enrollment in natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics, and 8% enrollment in engineering fields in higher education. Discrimination and barriers to access in STEM persist for women, but more women and girls, especially those of color, are needed to explore the science of Earth observations. Barriers include the underrepresentation of women in the field, which leads to a lack of role models, under-appreciation at work, and challenging work environments for many women who choose to pursue a career in STEM. Diversity must be increased for the field to truly prosper. 

Why does diversity matter in STEM fields? What can we do about it?

Without women, STEM fields miss new perspectives that can lead to new solutions. Nathalie Pettorelli is an Applied Ecologist, Chief Editor of Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, and co-founder of Soapbox Science. Nathalie put it best: “Diversity is key to creativity and innovation.” A field dominated by men, especially white men, means that not all communities and perspectives are equitably considered. This is especially important when it comes to technological innovation and why we must prioritize structural changes that include the voices of gendered minorities, especially those of color moving forward. 

Light the Flame with Inspiring Reads

Look at some of the following readings for more information on the discrimination faced by women in STEM and what people are doing to combat it. We hope this week’s reads inspire you to take matters into your own hands and become an advocate. 

  • An extreme gap exists in STEM fields, with women making up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math.

This post was written by GenderAvenger Harvard IOP Summer Intern Eden Getahun. Learn more about Eden and her passion for gender equality and healthcare here.


Psst… Sharing is caring! If you enjoy our weekly love letter to gender equality, pass it on to a friend, colleague, organization, or event planner you know! 

 
 
 

📣🚨 There are 51 men and only 18 women speaking at #EXPANDEO @earsc. We need to do better at uplifting women and women of color in STEM. #GenderAvenger #womeninstem

 
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