Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is a British prodigy in computer science and a social entrepreneur. She is creator and CEO of Stemettes, a project which encourages equity and diverse representation in STEM careers, and she co-chairs The Institute for the Future of Work.
Despite progress in some areas, there is a concerning decline in women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This isn't just a missed opportunity for talented individuals, but it also hinders innovation and limits the potential of these critical fields.
I’m often asked the question: "Why is this work still important?" And it’s simple: a diverse workforce leads to more inclusive tech development. Even more so when we consider the broader innovative remit of STEAM: which incorporates the Arts into STEM fields.
When a wider range of perspectives inform how new advancements, such as AI, are designed and used, the resulting technology is more equitable and beneficial for everyone.
This isn't just a computer science thing; understanding society is crucial when releasing technology into the world. For example, if you’re designing an app for job seekers, you need to ensure you have people actively seeking employment involved in user testing.
STEM and STEAM work needs to represent an inclusive cross-section of society to create the best outcomes possible.
Taking CTRL of the problem
I started thinking about ways to address the challenge of creating a more inclusive STEM space over a decade ago. At that time, the challenge was that many people already ‘at the table’ in a STEM company, wanted us to prove that this was a problem and that these were fields that young women were invested in. They wanted to know that solving this problem was worth the effort.
There was a lot of research and discourse about the lack of women across technical fields. Many of these were talking about formative experiences — and I took the opportunity to reflect on my own journey. I recognised the fact that having positive early experiences had led me to where I was.
The good news is the industry has moved beyond denial, but there's still work to do.
That’s why I wanted to create those same experiences for other young people. So, in 2013, I started a non-profit called Stemettes.
Our goal was to empower young women and non-binary folk between the ages of five and 25 to have more equitable access to — and make informed decisions about — their relationships with STEM and STEAM subjects. By doing this, we hoped to engage the next generation of tech innovators.
To do that, we created spaces that enable connection with role models and peers as well as upskilling. That way our ‘Stemettes’ can keep pace with the latest technologies whilst building a sense of belonging in technical spaces, which will carry them into whatever their future careers are.
It's not about forcing everyone into STEM careers. It’s about ensuring everyone has basic tech literacy, to make informed decisions and participate in these 21st century conversations.
Adding inclusive AI to the STEM equation
We can’t really talk about STEM without covering the impact artificial intelligence will, and has had, on life as we know it. The rise of AI is often presented as a threat to human jobs, including in these fields. Fearful headlines about automation can discourage people from pursuing particular STEM careers — thinking that these will be short-lived as AI ‘will take over’.
This narrative overlooks the true potential of AI. It is not a replacement for human ingenuity. Instead, it's a powerful tool that can and should augment human capabilities and accelerate scientific progress.
At Stemettes, our approach highlights the importance of early exposure to AI fundamentals. Integrating age-appropriate AI education at all ages can spark curiosity and dispel misconceptions. Inclusive programmes can showcase how AI is already being used to address global challenges, from medicine to legal, climate change to accessibility.
Highlighting the achievements of prominent women in tech fields, including AI research and development, provides relatable role models to inspire young women to follow suit and others to recognise success in all its forms.
And, of course, inclusive hands-on learning experiences are crucial for fostering engagement with AI and STEM. Interactive workshops and programmes that allow students to experiment with AI tools, like building robots or programming applications with AI, can make these topics come alive and showcase its creative potential.
ESC the norm and start collaborating
The underrepresentation of women and non-binary folk in STEM is a complex challenge, but not insurmountable. By promoting early exposure to the right concepts and role models and fostering a culture of collaboration, we can rewrite the narrative.
We can all be more involved. Support organisations, like Stemettes, looking for role models, donations, and amplification. It’s also important to be a lifelong learner. Challenge echo chambers in your workplace and at home by talking to new people about their lived experiences. And read widely. One great resource is The Institute for the Future of Work. It has a lot of tools to think about how to deploy new technologies, including AI, at work in a way that promotes good work and well-being for staff.
And, to the young women and non-binary folk considering STEM careers, I say this: there is an opportunity to be a pioneer who makes a difference, with all the unanswered questions and new innovations to explore. It's a chance to shape the future and make a lasting impact on the world. Let's embrace the potential of this new technology together — and unlock a new, better era of scientific discovery.
