S I M O N F R A S E R U N I V E R S I T Y
P r O M O T E D c O n T E n T
Woman, Scientist
SFU's commitment to women in STEM
S
imon Fraser University's
dedication to involve more
women in
STEM (Science,
Technoloy, Engineering and
Mathematics) disciplines is
part of a larger university-wide
commitment to bridge the divide
between academia and business under its
innovation stratey,
SFU Innovates.
Based on
SFU's vision to be Canada's
engaged university,
SFU Innovates helps
students and researchers mobilize
their ideas for positive social and
economic impact.
SFU Innovates is
built upon four interconnecting pillars:
entrepreneurship; social innovation;
incubation and acceleration; and industry
and community research partnerships.
The 2015 recognition of Lesley Shannon,
Professor in
SFU's School of Engineering,
as a Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada's Chair for
Women in Science and Engineering is an
important resource for advancing women
in
STEM Œelds. In her role, she provides
mentorship and training for women and
girls seeking careers in
STEM.
SFU is well suited to involve more
women in
STEM. "Half of our senior
executives are women, as are our deans,"
says Joy Johnson,
SFU's vice-president
research and international. "Another
prominent faculty member is Sarah Lubik,
our director of entrepreneurship.
"These role models inspire women
to consider leadership positions in
challenging Œelds."
The e—orts are yielding impressive
outcomes. For example,
SFU's Invention to
Innovation program enjoys an unusually
strong female enrolment of 37 percent; the
program is helping graduate scientists and
engineers prepare for employment in the
private sector.
SFU's innovations to increase women
and girls' involvement in
STEM continue.
"Our Faculty of Applied Sciences launched
Go
CODE Girl, which invites girls of grades
8 to 11 and their parents to learn more
about computing science," says Johnson.
"We've also formed an equity and
inclusion team to ensure that no biases
occur in our hiring processes.
"The great thing is, all of this is being
developed on a platform of excellence. That
in itself is inspiring."
¢
Our students
think they can
change the world.
Who are we
to argue?
www.sfu.ca/innovates
A great thing happens when you put innovative
doers together with community partners to
tackle today's toughest challenges. Real
solutions start percolating. Our students are
changing the world, right now, across a broad
selection of programs as part of the larger SFU
Innovates strategy — unified by a commitment
to drive economic prosperity and societal
benefits.
SFU Innovates. Yes, we do.
