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Key Takeaways from Our Webinar: Celebrating Women in Mathematics

Writer's picture: Hannah BradyHannah Brady

To celebrate international women in mathematics day on the 12th of May, we were excited to host a webinar, bringing together women in Mathematics and STEM to share their experiences and to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.


At MWH Tuition, we firmly believe that mathematics knows no gender boundaries. We are committed to supporting and inspiring all students, regardless of their gender, to pursue their passion for mathematics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Our webinar was incredibly insightful, and discussion ranged from GCSE and A-Levels to Universities and Careers. We were joined by 4 fantastic guest speakers to share their stories within mathematics and STEM, and have summarised some of our key takeaways from our webinar in case you missed it.

During our webinar we launched a Q&A session for students and parents. To be in the know for our future events, subscribe to our newsletter below.


Where are we at with Representation of Women in STEM?

University Enrolment: The UK is witnessing a positive trend in women's representation in mathematics-related programmes. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), approximately 41% of students enrolled in mathematics-related undergraduate programmes in the UK were women during the academic year 2019/2020 (HESA, 2020). This exciting progress highlights the growing interest and enthusiasm among young women for mathematics education.

Career Representation: While we celebrate the increasing number of women pursuing mathematics degrees, we recognise that there is more work to be done to achieve gender equity in mathematics-related careers. The London Mathematical Society (LMS) discovered that women currently represent around 16% of mathematics professors in UK universities (LMS, 2019). This underrepresentation limits the diversity of perspectives in academia and impedes the growth of innovative ideas.

Beyond academia, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) found that only 5% of chartered mathematicians in the UK are women (IMA, 2018). This statistic emphasises the need to foster a supportive environment that encourages women to pursue mathematics careers in various sectors, including industry and research.


Which Careers can I go into with Mathematics?

In celebration of International Women in Mathematics Day, we had the pleasure of engaging in a webinar with our guest speakers, mathematics graduates and undergraduates at Top UK universities. During this insightful session, Iona graciously shared her expertise on the multitude of opportunities awaiting graduates with a mathematics degree.


As a professional in the fields of machine learning and data science, Iona offered valuable advice to aspiring students: the importance of maintaining an open mind. She aptly summarised her perspective with the following quote from the webinar: "The best thing about maths and STEM is that it opens so many doors."

If you would like to learn more about potential maths careers, see our recent blog post.


Based on our experience, we highly recommend mathematics to talented students. Its strong reputation at A-Level, GCSE, and in advanced studies makes it a respected and worthwhile field of study.


See a short clip from our webinar below.



Empowering the Future

At MWH Tuition, we are committed to empowering young women to excel in mathematics and STEM fields. We provide tailored tuition programmes that support the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring their mathematical abilities reach their full potential.

Conclusion: As we continue our journey towards gender equality in mathematics and STEM, we recognise the progress made, while acknowledging the challenges that remain. At MWH Tuition, we stand with all young women who have a passion for mathematics and STEM subjects. Together, we can create an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to the field of mathematics and beyond.


References:

  • Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). (2020). Student Enrolments and Qualifications Obtained at Higher Education Providers in the United Kingdom for the Academic Year 2019/20.

  • London Mathematical Society (LMS). (2019). Gender Differences in Mathematics Provision in UK Universities: Staff and Students.

  • Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). (2018). Chartered Mathematician Survey Report 2018.

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