The under-representation of women in STEM translates into occupational segregation and contributes to persistent salary differentials

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future work and recommendations and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 3 journals.

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Women in Scientific Research, Innovation, and Technology (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  Achieving gender equality in scientific research and innovation requires sustained commitment from governments, institutions, and society as a whole. Future efforts should focus on strengthening policies that support women’s participation in STEM education and careers while addressing structural barriers that hinder their progress.[30] Technological advancements and digital transformation are creating new opportunities for women researchers across various disciplines. Fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, data science, and biotechnology offer promising avenues for women to contribute to cutting-edge innovations.[31] International collaborations and global research networks can also play an important role in promoting gender equality in science. By sharing best practices and resources, countries can work together to create inclusive research environments that empower women scientists. Furthermore, increasing women's representation in leadership positions will be crucial for shaping inclusive research agendas and ensuring that scientific advancements address the needs of diverse communities.[32]

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: women gender equality scientific advancements science inclusive achieving innovation requires sustained commitment governments institutions society
• Exploring the Factors Influencing Women Engineers' Transition out of the Engineering Field in Saskatchewan: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Inclusive and Retention-Focused Engineering (2026) · Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) · doi

  achieving Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30 initiative [3], which seeks to increase the proportion of newly licensed engineers identifying as women to thirty percent by 2030. By generating evidence-based recommendations, the study aimed to inform engineering education practices that better reflect the varied needs and experiences of women and support their continued participation in the profession. Addressing the Saskatchewan gap requires closer attention to why women leave engineering and which factors may support retention, then integrating these insights into engineering curricula. constraints towards and science, Underrepresentation of women extends across the broader technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce [4]. The concept of the “leaky pipeline” captures the cumulative loss of women from STEM fields as they move through education and career stages [5]. A national report by the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University [6] examined women’s entry into and exit from engineering in Canada and demonstrated that this pattern remains entrenched. The report identifies persistent systemic barriers over the past three including hostile workplace cultures, decades, limited advancement recurring microaggressions, CEEA-ACÉG26; Paper 84 l’Université de Moncton; June 13 – 17, 2026

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: women engineering engineers canada education support stem report achieving initiative seeks increase proportion newly licensed
• The mediator effect of STEM education on the gender pay gap: a case study of early-career graduates at a Southern Italian university (2026) · Quality & Quantity · doi

  The under-representation of women in STEM translates into occupational segregation and contributes to persistent salary differentials in the labour market. Existing research typically examines either gender wage differentials or STEM participation separately. There is a need for policies that promote women’s access and retention in STEM education and address broader institutional and cultural sources of salary inequality.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: under-representation women stem translates occupational segregation contributes persistent

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