The remarkable surge in women pursuing science degrees at top UK universities has been hailed as a "fantastic" trend by Dr Nicola Fox, head of science at Nasa. During a visit to her alma mater, the University of Surrey, Dr Fox witnessed first-hand the encouraging growth in female students opting for STEM subjects.
Dr Fox's own educational journey was vastly different from what many women experience today. She graduated in 1991 with a master's in telematics and satellite engineering – one of only four women in a course of over 200 students. However, her recent visit to the University of Surrey revealed a stark contrast, with numerous girls graduating in physics and engineering.
Dr Fox attributes her early interest in science to her upbringing and the supportive environment she experienced at St Francis College, an all-girls school in Letchworth. She believes it shielded her from the gender stereotypes that often deter young women from pursuing STEM careers, allowing her to develop a genuine passion for physics without bias.
While Dr Fox welcomes the increase in female students enrolling in science courses, data suggests that the number of women actually working in these fields is still lagging behind. Reports indicate that achieving parity with men in STEM careers may take decades, despite improvements in student numbers and workforce participation.
In advice to young women today, Dr Fox urged them not to be deterred by assertions that science is not for them. "If somebody says girls don't do that, then that's just not true," she stated firmly. Dr Fox credits her father with sparking her interest in space, but attributes her mother with instilling the determination that proved essential throughout her career.