Conference Agenda

In 2022, the first Latin American Symposium on Research and Innovation for Women in Engineering (SIILMI) was held. This event, organized by the Research Committee of the Matilda Chair, aims to build knowledge on strategies to achieve gender equality in engineering. This article gathers information provided by the participants of the three editions of SIILMI regarding research and innovative actions to promote women’s participation in engineering at their institutions, as well as the issues related to the gender gap and opportunities for future work. A large number of innovations were reported, including scholarships for women, workshops, talks, and activities to promote engineering careers, visibility of women leaders, institutional equality policies, initiatives for labor market insertion, curriculum design, awards, recognitions, and programs, among others. The focus of the research has been on measuring gender gaps, student dropout rates, leadership, labor market insertion, gender roles, and curriculum, among other topics. The issues mentioned include gaps, biases, discrimination, violence, machismo, and more. The most frequently mentioned topics by participants were: education, mentorships, policies, gaps, and violence, which clearly summarize the situation of gender inequality in engineering and the strategies that have been employed to address it. This article provides an overview of actions implemented in 259 Latin American institutions, including universities, university institutions, schools, associations, and companies, which can guide the development of policies to promote gender equality in engineering.

The Research Committee of the Latin American Open Chair Matilda and Women in Engineering (CI-CAL) is a volunteer-based organization that brings together representatives from various Latin American and Caribbean countries. Over its four years of existence, this committee has generated knowledge and initiatives that have had a significant impact and are recognized in the region. This paper presents a case study aimed at conducting a diagnostic evaluation of CI-CAL, analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), as well as developing a prospective that includes strategies to correct, address, maintain, and exploit (CAME) factors that require attention, with a view to strengthening its consolidation as a Transnational Research Group on "Women in Engineering." This study is based on a collaborative approach that includes the application of SWOT analysis to identify and prioritize key factors, complemented by the use of the CAME tool to formulate strategies. The results obtained are relevant for CI-CAL to make informed decisions about the strategic actions to be implemented in its internal and external dynamics, thus contributing to the advancement and strengthening of the group in its mission to generate knowledge that contributes to promoting gender equality in the field of engineering.

The research analyzed the evolution of female participation in university research between 2012 and 2025, based on institutional records of publications. The results showed a sustained increase in female authors, going from 29.4% to 46.8%, with significant differences between faculties: while Communications exceeded 50%, Engineering and Sciences maintain much lower growth levels. The Chi-square test confirmed that these gaps are structural and not random. Mixed co-authorship predominates (62.6%), although there is an encouraging growth in teams made up only of women (10.3% in 2025). The projection indicates that the university would reach parity in 2031, with delays in STEM (Engineering and Science) areas until 2038 and 2041. The progress made is remarkable, but challenges persist that demand differentiated policies, inclusive financing, and mentoring networks that strengthen equity in academic research.

This paper shares the results of an analysis of the narratives collected during the Introductory Course of the Faculty of Engineering (FIO) at UNICEN, Argentina, during the years 2023/2024/2025. This survey was designed by the MIFIO group and implemented by course instructors among incoming female and male students. While it aims to examine the factors that influence the choice of engineering, the discourse they hold, and the conceptions about the relationship between engineering and gender, it also provides insight into women's participation in scientific and technological careers. The study, promoted within FIO-UNICEN, provides revealing insights into the motivations, expectations, and stereotypes, as well as the (inequality of) opportunities that permeate scientific and technological careers. There are strong messages that challenge students, but at the same time, invite them to continue working toward more inclusive and equitable environments. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the survey, which includes 5 open-ended questions, allows us to arrive at reflections that become relevant when proposing good practices to contribute to reducing the gender gap in engineering

This study explores the underrepresentation of women engineers in academia in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzing structural and cultural barriers that hinder their professional development. The research draws from three interrelated conceptual frameworks: gender inequality in universities, the male-dominated culture of engineering institutions, and the influence of gender perspectives on academic career trajectories. Using a qualitative approach, the study gathers reflections from female leaders, highlighting their experiences and identifying institutional challenges and opportunities for change. The results reveal persistent obstacles related to gender bias, lack of mentorship, limited access to leadership roles, and uneven research funding. The paper proposes strategies for institutional transformation that include inclusive policies, capacity-building programs, and the promotion of research networks among women engineers. These initiatives aim to foster equity, visibility, and academic excellence among female professionals in STEM. The findings contribute to the regional agenda on gender equality in higher education and provide practical recommendations to strengthen the role of women engineers as researchers and leaders in academia.