A new STEM for Girls 2.0 | Ilaria Capua | TEDxPompeii

Summary

In this thought-provoking speech, the speaker, a scientist turned politician, explores the question of whether investing in STEM education for girls is a wise decision. Despite girls outperforming boys academically in many disciplines, they face significant barriers in reaching leadership roles. The speaker critiques the gender disparity in STEM careers, highlighting issues like career interruptions due to family responsibilities and underrepresentation in top positions. The solution, they argue, lies in leadership training alongside traditional STEM education. By redefining STEM to include leadership and motherhood, the speaker advocates for a more holistic approach that empowers girls to succeed both in their careers and personal lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Girls are excelling in STEM education, with high enrollment numbers in fields like medicine, veterinary science, and biology.
• 💡 Despite academic success, women face significant barriers in advancing to leadership roles within their fields.
• 📉 Academic 'leaks' occur at every step of a woman's career, particularly when marriage and motherhood are involved.
• 👩‍🔬 Women perform better academically than men in many disciplines, including biomedical fields, but struggle to reach top-level positions.
• 💰 The investment in STEM education for girls is substantial, but the return on that investment is currently disproportionate to their career success.
• 🔍 Leadership training is crucial to improve the return on investment in girls' education and ensure women can reach leadership positions in STEM fields.
• 👶 Motherhood is not a hindrance to career advancement but a vital aspect of perpetuating humanity, which should be embraced in discussions about career and education.
• 🚶‍♀️ Achieving balance in career and family life is challenging but necessary for women to succeed in both areas.
• 🏛️ The need for a vision in supporting young women in STEM education is paramount, as it drives future change and success.
• 🌍 The question arises: Can we afford to continue investing in the education of girls in STEM if they are not provided with the opportunities to fully express their talents?

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's argument in the transcript?

The primary focus of the speaker's argument is to discuss the challenges faced by women in STEM education, particularly the lack of leadership opportunities and gender disparities in academic careers. The speaker calls for the integration of leadership training alongside STEM education for women to improve outcomes.

What does the speaker mean by 'STEM' in the context of this talk?

While STEM traditionally stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the speaker expands the definition to include 'leadership, economics, and motherhood,' emphasizing that leadership skills and support for women's roles as mothers are also essential for success in STEM fields.

What statistic does the speaker provide about the gender distribution in higher education in Italy?

The speaker notes that in Italy, 57% of university students are female, with particular areas such as medicine, Earth sciences, life sciences, chemistry, and pharmacy seeing over 60% female enrollment.

What is the issue the speaker highlights regarding women's progress in academic careers?

The speaker highlights that despite women's strong academic performance, they face barriers that prevent them from reaching top leadership roles in academia, such as full professor positions. Only 28% of full professors are women, while 71% are male.

What does the speaker mean by 'academic pipeline leaks'?

'Academic pipeline leaks' refer to the gradual drop-off of women from academic careers at various stages, particularly after marriage and childbirth. The speaker mentions that these leaks contribute to the underrepresentation of women in senior academic roles.

How does the speaker connect leadership training to the success of women in STEM?

The speaker argues that leadership training is crucial for improving the return on investment in STEM education for women. Without leadership training, women are less likely to succeed at the highest levels of academia and industry.

What point does the speaker make regarding the financial cost of higher education?

The speaker emphasizes that higher education is expensive, with some institutions costing billions of dollars in total revenue. The speaker questions whether it makes sense to invest so much in training students, particularly women in STEM, if they are not supported in reaching their full potential.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to improve the success of women in STEM?

The speaker suggests that a broader, more inclusive definition of STEM should be adopted, which incorporates leadership training, economics, and support for motherhood. This would help women balance academic and personal responsibilities, ultimately leading to greater success in their careers.

What does the speaker mean by 'new STEM'?

'New STEM' is the speaker’s redefined approach to STEM education that includes not only the traditional fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics but also the essential areas of leadership, economics, and motherhood to better equip women for success in the modern world.

What is the significance of the image of the 'Three Graces' and the mosaic from Pompeii in the speaker's talk?

The 'Three Graces' and the mosaic from Pompeii are used as metaphors for the challenges women face in balancing various roles. The speaker uses these references to illustrate the complexity of women's lives, especially in relation to pursuing careers and managing family responsibilities, ultimately highlighting the need for leadership and support systems.