Women in STEM: Progress, Gaps, and the Numbers That Matter
Every March, we celebrate women in science. But beyond the profiles and praise, the data tells a more complex story. According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics, women make up about one-third of researchers worldwide. In Canada, Statistics Canada reports that women now earn a growing share of STEM degrees — and in health and life sciences, they are often the majority. That’s real progress.
But the pipeline narrows. In engineering, physics, and computer science, women remain underrepresented. Leadership tells a similar story. Data from Universities Canada shows women are still less likely to hold senior academic roles. Funding gaps persist as well. Reports from NSERC and CIHR reveal ongoing disparities in grant distribution and award amounts. Globally, Elsevier’s Researcher Journey Through a Gender Lens notes differences in publication rates, citation impact, and collaboration networks.
The takeaway isn’t that women aren’t in STEM. They are. The issue is advancement, recognition, and access to resources. Progress is measurable — but so are the barriers. If science is about evidence, then the evidence here is clear: equity requires more than celebration. It requires structural change.
The future of science depends on who gets to shape it.
| Category | Organization / Source | Report / Focus | Key Finding | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📊 Representation & Workforce Data | Statistics Canada (2023–2024) | Women in STEM in Canada | Women underrepresented in engineering, computer science, and physics; overrepresented in health and biological sciences. | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca |
| 📊 Representation & Workforce Data | UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) | Women in Science Fact Sheet | Women make up about 33% of researchers globally. | https://uis.unesco.org |
| 📊 Representation & Workforce Data | World Economic Forum | Global Gender Gap Report 2023/2024 | Tracks gender gaps in STEM employment and leadership worldwide. | https://www.weforum.org |
| 🎓 Education Pipeline | Council of Canadian Academies | Strengthening Canada’s Research Capacity: The Gender Dimension | Examines representation in academia and barriers to advancement. | — |
| 🎓 Education Pipeline | NSERC | Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics | Shows gender distribution in grant applications and awards. | https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca |
| 💰 Funding & Leadership Gaps | Elsevier (2020–2023) | The Researcher Journey Through a Gender Lens | Women publish less on average, collaborate differently, and receive less funding globally. | — |
| 💰 Funding & Leadership Gaps | Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) | Gender Equity in Funding Outcomes | Reports disparities in funding outcomes. | https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca |
| 🏛 Leadership & Academia | Universities Canada (2023) | Leadership Representation Data | Women underrepresented in senior academic leadership roles. | https://www.univcan.ca |
| 🏛 Leadership & Academia | Nature (multiple studies) | Gender Disparities in Research | Reports gaps in citations, peer review, and senior authorship. | — |
Written with the help of ChatGPT
Life Without Religion – Online
Thursday, March 5
First Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Life Without Religion is a peer support group created for individuals who experience difficulty in their lives due to leaving a religion or serious conflicts caused by religious influences.
If you are interested in joining this group, please contact a leader at lwrhost@gmail.com. Due to the nature of the group, an interview with the group leader or another representative of the group is necessary before joining.
Coffee Chat Online
Monday, March 9
Second Monday of every month at 1:00 pm MST
Our Coffee Chat is an enjoyable, unstructured afternoon conversation. Anyone can introduce an idea or ask a question, and the group will jump in and discuss it. You never know where the conversation will go, but it is always interesting and sometimes even educational. Join us and add your two cents’ worth.
Go to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Thriving Without Religion:
A Public Gathering
Thursday, March 9
Second Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
We are proud to present Thriving Without Religion, an in-person gathering designed to help you navigate life after faith and build a meaningful, joyful existence rooted in reason and community.
This month’s topic hasn’t been chosen yet.
Congress Coffee Company, 215 36 Ave NE, 1A · Calgary, AB
The coffee shop is closed to the public, it will only be us in the room!
Please note – we will not be screening attendees, so use caution if you are not “out” as a non-believer.
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Book Club
Thursday, March 12
Second Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
This month, the Book Club will be discussing the book Separation of church and hate by John Fugelsang.
Head over to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, March 14
The Annual General Meeting of The Rocky Mountain Atheist Society will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2025, at 12 pm MST. Zoom and in-person will both be available.
Save the date and check our Meetup Page for more details.
Life Without Religion – Online
Tuesday, March 17
Third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Life Without Religion is a peer support group created for individuals who experience difficulty in their lives due to leaving a religion or serious conflicts caused by religious influences.
If you are interested in joining this group, please contact a leader at lwrhost@gmail.com. Due to the nature of the group, an interview with the group leader or another representative of the group is necessary before joining.
Skeptics in the Pub
Friday, March 20
Third Friday of the month at 7:00 pm MST
Come to the pub, meet like-minded people and have thought-provoking discussions, along with a drink and some food.
This month’s topic is Canadian Blood Services.
Limericks Traditional Public House, 7304 Macleod Trail SE · Calgary, AB
Look for the RMA banner or ask the host where we are sitting!
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Movie Night
Monday, March 23
Fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
Join us for a movie and a discussion to follow.
This month’s movie hasn’t been selected yet.
Head over to our Meetup Page to register, get updates and the Zoom link.
WeCanReason Webinar
Wednesday, March 25
Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
The Flaws of Ghost Hunting Gadgets: Why They Don’t Find Ghosts with Kenny Biddle
In this presentation, Kenny Biddle will go over some of the popular ‘ghost hunting’ gadgets used by the TV shows, YouTube channels, and many ghost hunting groups. He will give you the description of what the devices are alleged to do, then break down what they really do – or don’t do – and why the methods using them are severely flawed. He will have many of the devices with him to demonstrate specific issues and flaws while you’re watching.
Head over to our Meetup Page to register and get the Zoom link.
Monthly Board Meeting
Thursday, March 26
Fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm MST
The Board of RMA meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to all, but only Board members can vote.
Check out our Meetup page for the link and other details.
All details of our events can be found on our Meetup Page at https://www.meetup.com/rockymountainatheists/events/.