Policies must empower women in engineering research
The 'Empowering women engineers careers in industrial and academic research' (Prometea) project set out to enhance understanding of gender issues in engineering and technology research settings. In doing so, Prometea aimed to be able to propose effective measures and recommendations that can empower European women engineer careers in academic and industrial research. Objectives aimed to explore gender dynamics of careers in various engineering organisations and compare different fields of engineering as well as academic and industrial settings. Project partners were interested in highlighting the effect of organisational cultures on male and female careers in related organisations, as well as the effects of supportive and negative cultures. Another objective was to identify barriers to developing a successful career for both men and women. Work progressed according to plan with methodology having been defined, tested and successfully used. Fieldwork guidelines and analyses of results were made available and are now being used for continuing work. Information on Prometea activities was made available through the website, certain sections of which are accessible to the general public. A 'Member's only' area provides information on methodology, guidelines, results, reports and a quality manual. Numerous presentations were made across 14 countries, with 26 articles accepted in reviews published in at least 8 countries. Prometea results are intended to inform funding bodies, scientific and technological societies, and industrial research and development (R&D) departments for increased gender awareness and fairness in recognising scientific excellence in engineering and technology.
