The Importance of Women in STEM Representation in Fictional Works

“Write what you know” is typical advice for authors. As a woman in STEM and a software entrepreneur, I’m intimately aware of the landscape, even though I don’t fill the traditional roles of programmer, engineer, or medical mathematician. That didn’t hinder me from crafting a narrative around a female engineer who develops an ethical artificial intelligence, with a narrative core focusing on the AI’s pursuit to protect children.

(On Writing Representation in Fiction.)

Statistics reveal a stark underrepresentation in STEM fields, with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics reporting that women represent less than 30% of researchers globally. Further emphasizing the gap, the National Girls Collaborative Project found women comprise only 28% of the science and engineering workforce, despite making up half of the college-educated workforce in the U.S. Moreover, the American Association of University Women highlights that women in STEM are often published less and earn less than their male counterparts, with career progression lagging as well.

These figures not only highlight disparities but also underscore the imperative to normalize STEM careers for women in every narrative form. Women in STEM need not be confined to science fiction; they can and should inhabit every genre, from romance to mystery, embodying roles that range from love interests to family peacekeepers, dreamers of emotional enlightenment, or companions to protagonists of any vocation.

The mantra “See it to be it” rings particularly true here. Representation matters deeply, and while young girls may not always encounter these stories, their influencers—parents, teachers, mentors—will. The ripple effect of such representation is profound, as evident from the impact of female doctors and detectives on television shows on the broader societal acceptance of these careers for women.

Stereotypes and Story Lines I Avoided

Avoiding cliché characters is always important. My female characters are brilliant, but they are not nerdy. Their hobbies include sailing, tanker-wake surfing, and one is passionate about purses. I needed these elements to round out their characters and bring interactions outside of their workplace.

My story is concentrated on their technical work, but that doesn’t have to be the case for every technically-minded character. To be more specific, the technical work I include is in support of the mission of preventing child abuse and trafficking. The reader just might become more comfortable with the development of AIs along the way.

Tech companies have been in the news for their gender bias, sexual harassment, and bad boy behavior. I didn’t go there at all. I had enough drama with corporate raiders, controlling AIs, keeping vigilante activities secret, and the frustrations of wanting to protect every child from their traumas. The gender differences just didn’t fit. Besides, I did write fiction, so I could pretend those things didn’t happen for my ladies. I was also focused on a more optimistic narrative, where possible.

Another stylistic choice I made was in my character descriptions. I didn’t include body type descriptions or anything that pegged a character’s race. This isn’t related to women in STEM but because I’m exhausted with the need to describe women by their shapes, levels of beauty, or their clothing choices. I chose descriptors that allowed open minds to create character images in their minds. This creates a bonus as I pitch the story to Hollywood, the casting agents can have free reign over their choices.

Traits of STEM Women Which Make Them Great Characters

STEM women are critical thinkers, all the better to throw into thorny situations and watch them work the problem. My ladies deftly dealt with the quagmire of defining ethics in a global environment. They could admit to the challenges and assumptions and move on. That was part of their training, so they could explain it without being trite or condescending.

Their professions require curiosity, which allowed me to naturally launch into topics that gave foreshadowing or supported character choices, without the need of build up.

Forget the bobby pin; it’s not weird for STEM ladies to carry a tiny screwdriver set in their purse. They can MacGyver their way out of an issue and the skills are explained by their time in the Girl Scouts or their Mechanical Engineering 101 class. So many opportunities.

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The Big Why

I’ve had the joy of watching a group of girls learning about the technical aspects of Formula One racing, and their eyes light up when they see female engineers walk into the garage.

I’ve talked to thousands of kids about careers. They are grasping for representation and acceptance that they can be seen in their career of choice.

The more job diversity we can bring into our stories, the better the world will accept the breaking of the traditional roles. We see this happening in other forms of diversity. I hope we’ll see more representation of these trailblazing characters too.

Superheroes don’t have to wear capes, they can create medical cures, predict the volcanic eruption, or in the case of Moral Code, invent an ethical artificial intelligence capable of defending all children from abuse and trafficking.

I hope more authors consider the power of utilizing the depth and complexities of Women in STEM for their stories. The opportunities are expansive and the rewards impactful.

Check out Lois and Ross Melbourne’s Moral Code here:

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