Professor Pooran Wynarczyk

Director,

Small Enterprise Research Unit (SERU)

School of Geography, Politics and Sociology

Newcastle University

1^st Floor, Porter Building

St Thomas Street

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE1 7RU, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 7739

Fax: +44 (0) 191 283776

e-mail: pooran.wynarczyk@ncl.ac.uk

web: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/seru

Professor Barry Clarke

Professor of Geotechnical Engineering

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering

Stephenson Centre

Newcastle University

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE1 7RU

Tel. +44(0) 191 222 6419

Fax: + 44 (0) 191 222 5950

e-mail: B.G.Clarke@newcastle.ac.uk

Jonathan Brown

Project Manager

Small Enterprise Research Unit (SERU)

School of Geography, Politics and Sociology

Newcastle University

1^st Floor, Porter Building

St Thomas Street

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE1 7RU, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 5661

Fax: +44 (0) 191 283776

e-mail: j.w.j.brown@ncl.ac.uk

web: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/seru

1. Background

Many new products, services and processes are critically dependent on the availability of scientists, engineers and technologists.  In recognition of this need, relevant  organisations in the public and private sectors have implemented a range of policies to enrich this pool of talent via education, training, experiential enhancement and other appropriate methods (EC, 2003; Gago, 2004; Griffith, 2000; EC, 2006).  However, the scientific activities and scientific labour market in general have continued to remain white male-dominated. Concerns about the under-representation of women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) have been raised and expressed by the Government and various other organisations since the seventies.  Hence, considerable efforts have been devoted to the development of numerous initiatives, reports, organisations, and bursaries.  Increasingly, research and policy have focused on the continuous ‘dropping out’ of girls and women at every stage of the so called ‘SET Leaky Pipeline’. From choosing science subjects at school, to first degree, higher degree, and then in the scientific labour market, only a trickle of  women eventually emerge to make successful careers in science beyond the ‘glass ceiling’ (e.g., Greenfield, 1994, 2002; Bickenstaff, 2005). Research and policy have continuously identified a number of barriers that prevent women from participation and further progression in the scientific fields (UKRC 2006).  Because science has for centuries tended to be dominated by men the culture of scientific inquiry and the cultures of scientific departments also tend to be predominantly male dominated.

Over the past the UK has experienced a substantial increase in the ethnic minority population.  However, it is only recently the UK Government has recognised that ethnic minorities are also under-represented in the scientific education and workforce and has begun to show some commitment to tackle this problem. Ethnic minorities participation in the scientific activities is a hugely under researched area (Wynarczyk, 2007a).  

 2. Aims and objectives

This project has  investigated  high level scientific activities in terms of, for example,  research and development (R&D), innovation, invention, and patenting generated by women (including  those with ethnic minority background)  working in the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) communities in both the public and private sectors. It has researched the potential subsequent impact on society, technological capacity and economic development in the North East of England. The project’s objectives included: