RSC Response Call for Evidence by the Royal Society of Edinburgh on Lifting barriers to women in STEM: A strategy for Scotland

The RSC identifies the key challenges facing the STEM workforce throughout the UK as:

• ensuring effective interdisciplinary research to advance high-growth technology output;
• attracting young people to STEM careers, development of appropriate skills and retention of talent/skills;
• creation of a more entrepreneurial culture;
• effective transfer of knowledge between universities and industry, bridging the gap between the science base and business;
• supporting diversity in STEM workforce, in particular addressing the "leaky pipeline" of women in STEM;
• ensuring employment stability;
• connecting with, educating and inspiring the public;
• ensuring positive media interaction and coverage.           

Specific to Scotland the RSC also identifies the following challenges:

• attracting investment in Scottish science, engineering and technology;
• preventing a "brain drain" following closure of large sites (e.g. Newhouse).