STEM drop-outs: evidence and factors for gender gaps

‘STEM’ is the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathamatics and stands for an educational and professional field that continues to be characterised by major gender-specific differences and appears comparatively less accessible or desirable for (young) women than for (young) men. At the same time, many STEM occupations are associated with promising career opportunities.

The main objective of the study was to identify reasons why women leave or consider leaving STEM fields. A secondary data analysis was used to determine the proportion of STEM dropouts in different stages of education and employment, as well as gender-specific differences in this regard. In addition, a nationwide quantitative survey was conducted to identify and analyse structural, operational and individual factors for women dropping out or considering a change of career. The findings were further explored in qualitative, co-creative workshops involving women who had left the field.

The study was conducted on behalf of “LEA – Let’s Empower Austria. Österreichischer Fonds zur Stärkung und Förderung von Frauen und Mädchen“ in cooperation with Andrea Leitner (Institute for Advanced Studies, IHS).

https://www.bmfwf.gv.at/frauen-und-gleichstellung/gender-mainstreaming-und-budgeting/gender-daten-index.html

https://letsempoweraustria.at/aktuelles/studienpraesentation-podiumsdiskussion-in-wien/