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The Faculty of Arts and Science subsidized the attendance fee of students attending the 10th annual Women in Science and Engineering Conference: Above and Beyond (WISE), recently held virtually from Toronto. The funding was provided through the Faculty’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization Fund.

“Women and other marginalized genders, for example transgender and nonbinary people, remain underrepresented in STEM fields especially when those identities intersect with other axis of marginalization such as being a first-generation student or someone who is racialized,” says Dr. Elliot Chapple, Director - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenization (EDII), Faculty of Arts & Science. “By removing barriers to allow everyone to fully participate in STEM fields, we increase access to more perspectives and drive innovation.”

The conference was hosted by the Women in Science and Engineering – University of Toronto (WISE U of T) Chapter. Established in 1999, the group supports and empowers all women in STEM fields and help them achieve their full potential as future engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and leaders.

FAS biology graduate student Kelly Balfour, who is an MSc candidate in the Aarssen Laboratory, volunteered at the WISE conference graduate fair, speaking with students about graduate school at Queen’s University.

“Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) wasn't a popular avenue for girls when I was growing up, so I found it very difficult to make connections to other females in traditionally male-dominated fields,” says Balfour. “I'm glad that as time passes, there are more opportunities to get involved in events, clubs, and organizations with like-minded women and girls. It's been my experience that women in STEM, no matter how busy, always find time to provide guidance and support for other STEM-hopefuls. I knew that as I continued this path, I would help whenever and however I could, just as my mentors have done for me.”

Balfour’s field of study is plant ecology and evolution. She mainly studies grasslands, and her graduate work explores whether smaller plants in grasslands are more tolerant of low light conditions, which are typically not favorable for growth. This ‘shade tolerance’ is very understudied in non-woody plant communities. Grasslands are critical carbon sinks, so work like this will be increasingly important as climate change progresses.

“My advice to female academics is to always pursue an education in whatever field is most interesting to you,” says Balfour. “At times you could be the only female the room, but your experiences pave the way for others who want to follow the same path. Women in STEM are fantastic mentors and will always encourage you to succeed, so you'll find that you won't be alone for very long.”

Sharon Regan, Associate Dean (Graduate Students and Global Engagement) and Professor in the Department of Biology, says the funding for the WISE Conference supports important initiatives in EDII.

“As the WISE conference enters its tenth year, it reveals a changing landscape in STEM that has more women seeking these careers and bringing more diverse perspectives to discovery and innovation,” says Dr. Regan, a professor in the biology department. “Leaders like Kelly are a perfect example of how women will change the future of STEM - these are exciting times.”

To learn more about the FAS EDII Fund and other awards, see the Dean’s Initiative Awards webpage.