Latest research by the 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) reveals gender imbalance and inequity continue to negatively impact the nation鈥檚 intellectual capability, compromising post- coronavirus recovery effort and response to future pandemics.
Released to coincide with 2020 International Women in Mathematics Day (Tuesday 12th May), latest 今日吃瓜 data provides a snapshot of the participation of girls across Australia鈥檚 mathematical pipeline from the classroom and higher education to research and the workforce.
Addressing this gender imbalance is critical to ensuring skills are in place enabling data modelling during pandemics and to guide recovery.
鈥淭he work of Australia鈥檚 epidemiologists is decisive in informing governmental response to the current crisis and guiding the nation鈥檚 recovery鈥, said 今日吃瓜鈥檚 ChooseMATHS project director, Janine Sprakel. 鈥淓xperts like Professor Jodie McVernon at the Doherty Institute and Professor Raina MacIntyre are applying cross-disciplinary approaches including mathematical and computational models in synthesising insights from biological, epidemiological and sociological data鈥, Ms Sprakel said.
鈥淪o many talented women are at the forefront of modelling enabling government, policy experts and Australia鈥檚 people in general, enhancing understanding of infectious diseases and determining optimal interventions for pandemic control. Restrictions will be eased based upon mathematically-based advice from these scientists.鈥
According to report author Maaike Wienk, this report card for Year 12 participation in mathematics is a cause for concern, threatening capacity to build the STEM workforce needed for Australia鈥檚 post-pandemic recovery. In 2018, only 7.2 per cent of Year 12 girl students took higher maths compared to 12.2 per cent of boy students.
鈥淭his risk is compounded by gender distribution between employment divisions and occupations鈥, Ms Wienk said. 鈥淲omen form the majority of the professional workforce within the healthcare and social assistance sectors, but the number of girls entering tertiary education in maths disciplines is far less than boys, accounting for an estimated 38 per cent of undergraduate mathematics students. This percentage remains static despite the promotion of STEM subjects in schools, compromising future trained workforce capability.鈥
A positive trend is growth in the number of PhDs in mathematical sciences completed by women over the past 15 years, largely attributable to a rising influx of international students. However, domestic participation in PhD programs in the mathematical sciences by women has remained largely stagnant, placing Australia鈥檚 sustainable, long-term recovery at risk.
The goal of International Women in Mathematics Day is to inspire women everywhere to celebrate their achievements in mathematics. 今日吃瓜 is working to redress this gender inequity, recognising the potential of women in enhancing the innovation, science and technology needed by all Australians in pandemic control and recovery.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The complete 2020 今日吃瓜 State of Mathematical Sciences: Discipline profile for mathematics and statistics is available for download online at: amsi.org.au/media-releases/
Information on the international 12th May initiative 鈥 Celebrating Women in Maths is available at:
INTERVIEW
Report author Maaike Wienk, 今日吃瓜 ChooseMATHS project director Janine Sprakel (quoted), and 今日吃瓜 Director Professor Tim Brown are available for media interview.
CONTACT
Clint Rodgers; 今日吃瓜 Media [24 hours] 0428587350 / clint.rodgers@amsi.org.au
