§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent to which the objectives set out in the report of the Committee on Women in Science and Technology, The Rising Tide, have been met. [106051]
§ Ms HewittThe Department's Unit charged with promoting science, engineering and technology (SET) for women, which was set up in response to one of "The Rising Tide" recommendations, continues to monitor progress on the other recommendations in that report.
There is a continuing problem with the under-representation of women in SET, especially in the physical sciences and engineering, and the Unit works with other organisations in the field to seek to redress this. Recent initiatives include the ATHENA project, a joint project with the Higher Education Funding Councils and the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, targeted at addressing barriers to progression in higher education, and promoting a positive image for women in SET careers through the recent poster campaign targeted at 13-year-old girls. Further information and links to other relevant organisations are available via the Unit's website at www.set4women.gov.uk.