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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the work of the Promoting Science, Engineering and Technology for Women Unit in encouraging implementation of the Government's stategy on increasing female participation in science, engineering and technology. [180072] Ms Hewitt: The Government's Strategy for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology sets out a new and enhanced role for the Promoting Science, Engineering and Technology for Women unit, now renamed the DiverSETy team to reflect its broader focus on all under-represented groups in SET. Since the publication of the Strategy, the DiverSETy team has been through a tendering process for the Resource Centre, followed by contract negotiations. A contract with the JIVE consortium was signed in May 2004, and the official launch will take place on 16 September 2004. The DiverSETy team also facilitated the appointment process of the Independent Implementation Group which has met twice. The members of this group were announced in January 2004 and the DiverSETy team provides secretariat support for its meetings. The DiverSETy team is strengthening relationships with relevant policy areas across DTI, other Government Departments (including their agencies) and the Research Councils to ensure that the representations and participation of women in SET is considered and incorporated across Government. This includes working towards the Government's target of 40 per cent. female representation on public bodies/policy committees by 2008 on which the DiverSETy team leads. The team is tasked with ensuring that mainstream science policy does not disadvantage women in SET and therefore scrutinises and comments on OST and Research Council policy documents to ensure that diversity is mainstreamed. Recently, it has also been working collaboratively with the DfES and the Treasury on the Skills chapter of the 10 year framework for Science and Innovation to ensure continuity of effort for girls and women in SET throughout education and employment. The DiverSETy Team has continued to fund and support the Rosalind Franklin Awards which are administered for us by the Royal Society and which achieve excellent publicity for the Women in SET agenda.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

180072; 423 c397-8W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Women Equality ICT Engineering Technology Science Departmental coordination

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk