Women in STEM Fields: Breaking Barriers and Leading Innovation

Walk into most university science buildings and you’ll notice something: despite making up the majority of graduates, women still occupy a surprisingly small slice of the people working in science, technology, engineering, and math. In Canada, fewer than 25% of STEM jobs are held by women—and in some sectors like nuclear, that number drops below 20%. Yet the pioneers who built this field stretch back decades, and the momentum to change these numbers has never been stronger. This guide maps out what the data actually shows, introduces the women who broke barriers, and looks at what’s next for the next generation.

STEM Domains: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics · Key Focus: Women participation in STEM studies and careers · Canadian Emphasis: Women evolving in science, technology, engineering, math · Global Efforts: UNESCO and EU initiatives for girls in STEM · Inspirational Content: Video testimonials of women in STEM

Five categories, one pattern: each field builds on the other, and Canada’s economy depends on all of them staying full.

What are STEM domains?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The acronym was coined in 2001 by Judith Ramaley, who at the time served as director of education and human resources at the U.S. National Science Foundation. In French-speaking contexts, the term becomes STIM. These four fields share a common thread: they all rely on quantitative reasoning, empirical testing, and systematic problem-solving. Together, they form the backbone of modern innovation—from the smartphone in your pocket to the vaccines that protect public health.

Studying STEM in Canada opens doors to some of the country’s most in-demand careers. Government data shows that participants in federal STEM promotion programs range from age 18 to 65, with the largest concentration between 35 and 55 holding bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The broader diversity argument is straightforward: according to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, greater diversity in the STEM workforce addresses skilled labor shortages, boosts innovation, and improves return on investment in human resources.

Science

The science leg of STEM covers natural phenomena, experimental methods, and evidence-based understanding of the physical world. In Canada, research institutions and universities form the core infrastructure, with federal funding flowing through agencies like the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Women earned roughly 40% of undergraduate Science and Engineering degrees awarded by Canadian universities according to an NSERC 2010 report—a figure that has gradually climbed but still leaves room for improvement.

Technology

Technology encompasses the practical application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and commerce. Canadian tech firms are increasingly vocal about the need for diverse hiring. For instance, Akinox—a Quebec-based company—has built roughly 40% female representation in its IT workforce, actively promoting women into decision-making roles. The gap between enrollment and career uptake remains significant, however, particularly in provinces like Quebec.

“Les femmes représentent moins d’un quart des personnes faisant carrière en STIM.”

— Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC STEM Resources)

Engineering

Engineering applies mathematical and scientific principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, and systems. Despite producing capable graduates, the field has historically struggled with retention. Statistics Canada data reveals that women who complete engineering degrees tend to graduate at comparable or faster rates than men, yet fewer ultimately stay in engineering careers. The 50-30 Challenge, championed by the Canadian government, specifically targets 50% women and non-binary representation and 30% representation from marginalized groups in leadership positions.

Mathematics

Mathematics provides the quantitative foundation shared by all other STEM domains. Beyond pure mathematics, its applications extend into finance, data science, cryptography, and engineering simulations. The Canadian Archives of Women in STEM project at the University of Ottawa explicitly aims to document women’s contributions to mathematics, recognizing that these achievements have often gone unrecorded. As part of this effort, Ingenium is developing an interactive timeline to showcase Canadian women’s accomplishments across all STEM disciplines.

What is the place of women in mathematics?

Women have contributed to mathematics for centuries, often without recognition. The story of women in math is partly one of overcoming obstacles—barriers to education, exclusion from academic positions, and the systematic undervaluation of their intellectual labor. Monique Frize, Distinguished Professor at Carleton University and a collaborator on the Canadian Archives of Women in STEM project, has been vocal about the need to preserve these records. “It is of critical importance to have access to documents relating to women’s work, contributions, and personal life so that historians will be able to tell their stories,” she stated.

The historical challenges have been substantial. Until the late twentieth century, most mathematics departments were dominated by men, and women who wanted to pursue advanced study often had to fight for the right to enroll. Even when women proved their capabilities through published research and teaching excellence, they frequently encountered invisible barriers—subtle biases in hiring, promotion, and grant funding that accumulated over decades.

Historical challenges

Beyond outright exclusion, women mathematicians faced structural obstacles that persisted well into the modern era. Access to education required overcoming legal restrictions, family opposition, and institutional gatekeeping. Self-taught skills or lack of formal STEM degrees hindered career progression for women who found alternative paths into the field, according to Government of Canada research. These informal pathways, while sometimes enabling entry, rarely led to tenured positions or recognition.

Modern contributions

Today, women mathematicians are making their mark in academia, industry, and government. The University of Ottawa’s Women in STEM Oral History Project has interviewed 10 women whose careers span research, policy, and education. The Canadian Archives of Women in STEM project at the University of Ottawa creates an interactive timeline of women’s accomplishments, ensuring that future generations can see role models who reflect their own potential. Women win disproportionately few prestigious STEM awards relative to their contributions—a gap that advocates are working to close through better documentation and recognition.

Future prospects

The future of women in mathematics looks brighter than the past, though progress remains uneven. A symposium titled “Célébrer le succès des femmes dans les STIM” is planned for 2026, bringing together stakeholders to build leadership skills and visibility. International Women’s Day continues to highlight the importance of equity and diverse perspectives in STEM fields. The challenge now is sustaining momentum: converting graduation gains into career retention and leadership advancement.

“It is high time to find the women!”

— Monique Frize, Distinguished Professor, Carleton University (Engineers Canada)

Who are the pioneering women in sciences?

The history of women in sciences stretches back further than most textbooks acknowledge. Pioneering women conducted experiments, made discoveries, and advanced human knowledge—often without receiving credit during their lifetimes. Their stories matter because they prove that women’s capacity for scientific achievement has never been lacking; what was lacking was opportunity.

In Canada specifically, several figures stand out. The Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) was incorporated on July 30, 1981, with Mary Vickers as founding president. SCWIST celebrated 40 years in 2021, marking four decades of supporting women and girls in STEM despite persistent challenges. These pioneers created pathways that made it possible for subsequent generations to follow.

Early pioneers

Dr. Mabel Corlett represents a landmark figure in Canadian scientific history. She was the first woman to obtain a BSc in Geology at Queen’s University in 1960, and later became the first female geology professor at that institution. The Royal Alberta Museum notes that “she was a pioneer in geology,” and her career opened doors that had been closed to women for generations. Her achievement highlights that even in the 1960s, firsts were still needed—a reminder of how recent many gender barriers truly are.

Key figures

Beyond individual pioneers, organizations have played crucial roles. SCWIST connected students with female STEM professionals for networking, creating mentorship pipelines that are essential for retention. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission actively supports women’s advancement in STEM through equitable opportunities in the nuclear sector. These institutional efforts complement individual achievements by building supportive ecosystems.

Modern examples

Modern examples include women currently working in government STEM roles across Canada. According to the Government of Canada, women in Canadian government STEM face career obstacles that are documented in detailed profiles—a recognition that transparency about ongoing challenges is the first step toward solving them. The upcoming 2026 symposium aims explicitly to build leadership skills and visibility for women at mid-career stages.

Who are famous female scientists?

Famous female scientists span multiple centuries and disciplines, yet their recognition often lags behind male counterparts of comparable achievement. The question “Who is the most famous woman in history?” doesn’t have a clean answer—fame depends on visibility, institutional backing, and cultural memory. What is clear is that the contributions exist in abundance, even when recognition has been slow in coming.

In a French-language context, the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) documents women in sciences and techniques, providing archival evidence of female achievement spanning the modern era. Internationally recognized figures like Marie Curie demonstrate that when women receive proper support and recognition, their discoveries can transform entire fields. The challenge is ensuring that recognition becomes systematic rather than exceptional.

Top scientists

Three famous female scientists who marked history in STEM are Marie Curie (physics and chemistry, two Nobel prizes), Rosalind Franklin (DNA structure discovery), and Jane Goodall (primatology and conservation). Their work fundamentally changed scientific understanding in their respective fields. In Canada specifically, Dr. Mabel Corlett’s geological work represents pioneering achievement that predates many more recent developments. These women prove that excellence in science has never been a gender-specific trait.

Historical influencers

Historical influencers include women whose work enabled subsequent breakthroughs. Their contributions were sometimes formally credited, sometimes not—but the ripple effects of their research shaped entire disciplines. The Canadian Archives of Women in STEM project addresses this gap by systematically documenting Canadian women’s scientific accomplishments, ensuring they enter the historical record.

Canadian examples

Canadian examples extend from Dr. Corlett to contemporary researchers and industry professionals. SCWIST has documented its own history, providing a quarter-century record of organizational efforts to support women in STEM. The Akinox company demonstrates that high female representation in IT leadership is achievable, with approximately 40% female workforce in technology roles. These concrete examples show that change is possible when organizations commit to it.

Who are influential women in STEM in Canada?

Influential women in Canadian STEM span research, government, and industry. What unites them is not just their professional accomplishment but their commitment to creating pathways for others. The concept of “women of influence” recognizes that impact extends beyond personal achievement to encompass mentorship, advocacy, and institutional change.

In Quebec, STEM programs enroll 34% women, but fewer than 25% pursue related careers—a gap that illustrates the retention problem. The provincial context shows that even where education enrollment is reasonable, the transition to careers remains difficult. The Akinox blog documents how women constitute a majority of university graduates but remain underrepresented in the STEM industry, with 75% male students in the 2021 STEM industry.

Women of influence

Monique Frize exemplifies the “woman of influence” profile. As Distinguished Professor at Carleton University and collaborator on the Canadian Archives of Women in STEM project, she combines academic achievement with archival advocacy. Her statement that “It is high time to find the women!” captures the urgency of documenting historical contributions before they disappear from institutional memory. Mary Vickers, as founding president of SCWIST, established organizational infrastructure that continues to support women four decades later.

Careers in STEM

Careers in STEM for women in Canada present both opportunity and challenge. The data from Statistics Canada shows that among first-year female STEM undergrads in 2010, 66% remained in STEM by 2015—meaning one-third left the field within five years. Self-taught skills or lack of formal STEM degrees can hinder career progression for women who take non-traditional paths. The government’s emphasis on Indigenous knowledge integration in STEM adds another dimension, recognizing that gender intersects with other forms of underrepresentation.

Inspiration for next generation

Inspiration for the next generation comes through multiple channels. The AESTQ has produced 20 video capsules featuring women in STEM—testimonial content that makes career possibilities visible to younger audiences. SCWIST connected students with female STEM professionals for networking, creating direct pathways between aspiring and established practitioners. The University of Ottawa’s oral history project preserves first-person accounts that can serve as teaching tools for years to come.

“It is of critical importance to have access to documents relating to women’s work, contributions, and personal life so that historians will be able to tell their stories.”

— Monique Frize, Distinguished Professor, Carleton University (Engineers Canada)

Related reading: domaines scientifiques comme la chimie · technologie et informatique

Frequently asked questions

For Canadian employers, the choice is becoming unavoidable: address retention barriers now, or continue losing the majority of STEM graduates to sectors that do. The government’s 50-30 Challenge and SCWIST’s 27-month inclusion project represent serious policy commitments—but their success depends on whether organizations actually implement the structural changes these programs require.