Tapping all our Talents 2018

It’s six years since Tapping All Our Talents (TAOT) was released by the RSE in 2012. Much has changed in that time but has the lot of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)? Has the infamous ‘leaky pipeline’ –the graph which shows the lack of women making it to leadership positions in academia –been fixed?
Are more than 27% of female graduates entering a STEM-related job on graduation? Are women in STEM in a better position, a worse position or in just the same position as previously? What more needs to be done to enable women to play their full part in shaping our future –helping to solve today’s key Challenges using STEM-based skills to build a better and more economically vibrant Scotland?
These were some of the questions that motivated the RSE to look at current data and engage with interested groups and individuals to produce TAOT2018. The Young Academy of the RSE immediately offered their help on learning of the intended report and their enthusiasm, commitment and skills are gratefully acknowledged. My thanks also go to the Working Group, everyone who contributed and particularly to Susan Lennox, who led on the drafting of this report.