Exploratory Analysis of Social Representations, Academic and Media Discourses of Women in STEAM: Lithuania as a Case Study in the European Context

• Autores: Tatiana Buelvas Baldiris
• Directores de la Tesis: Rainer Rubira García (dir. tes.), Rasa Poceviciene (dir. tes.)
• Lectura: En la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos ( España ) en 2023
• Idioma: inglés
• Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: David Caldevilla Domínguez (presid.), Diana Fernández Romero (secret.), Anidelys Rodríguez Brito (voc.)
• Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Estudios Interdisciplinares de Género por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; la Universidad de Alcalá; la Universidad de Alicante; la Universidad de Huelva; la Universidad de La Laguna; la Universidad de las Illes Balears; la Universidad Jaume I de Castellón y la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Materias:
  • Sociología
    • Sociología del trabajo
      • Sociología de los medios de comunicación de masas
• Enlaces
  • Tesis en acceso abierto en:  TESEO  hdl.handle.net 
• Resumen

  • ABSTRACT.

    The COVID-19 pandemic not only accelerated the global digital transformation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) sectors but also exacerbated the gender gap in these areas. Women face difficulties in accessing and advancing in STEAM industries due to factors such as the lack of female role models, gender stereotypes, gender segregation, lack of confidence, and the impostor syndrome. This research focuses on Europe, where gender equality is a priority, and aims to explore how the representation of women in STEAM has been addressed in academic discourse and the media, with Lithuania as a case study. The specific objectives include analysing academic discourse on women in STEAM; exploring European projects promoting women in STEAM through systematic project review; delving into the representations of female scientists in commercial cinema using the Bechdel test and Greimas' Actantial method; and finally, conducting a Critical Discourse Analysis of women leaders in STEAM in Lithuania. The results reveal: 1) An increase in research on women in STEAM, but also challenges such as gender imbalances in research authorship. 2) Academia has contributed, but a more action-oriented approach is needed. 3) European projects primarily focus on education and gender equality plans in STEAM organisations. 4) Regarding the research on cinema representation, it shows how media shapes public perceptions of women in STEAM. 5) The last publication highlights the agency and resilience of Lithuanian women in STEAM who have overcome gender norms. In summary, progress has been made in understanding gender inequalities in STEAM, but a multidisciplinary approach and new epistemological perspectives are needed to achieve lasting change in gender representation in these historically male-dominated fields, opening up participation and leadership opportunities for women in these sectors.

    Keywords: Women; STEAM; Discourse; Scientific; Media; Social Representation; Europe.

    Palabras clave: Mujeres; STEAM; Representaciones Sociales; Discurso; Medios de Comunicación; Lithuania; Europa.