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About SWE Research

The Society of Women Engineers’ Research Division was created in 2016 to focus on issues associated with gender equity in engineering education and in the engineering workforce in countries where SWE is active. We are a resource for the latest data and information on issues involving women in engineering. The SWE Research Division collaborates with researchers on projects that further the success of women in the profession and encourage females to pursue a career in engineering.

SWE Research Priorities

The SWE Research Division is currently focused on research activities that support the following:

  • Inspiring girls to pursue a STEM education
  • Supporting educational pathways that lead to a career in engineering
  • Increasing diversity and inclusion in engineering education and the workforce
  • Promoting efforts that encourage women to stay in the profession

SWE Research Division staff can be reached at research@swe.org.


SWE Research Advisory Council

The SWE Research Advisory Council was created in 2018 to help the organization determine research topics for exploration, identify potential collaborators and external funding opportunities, provide expert feedback on current research projects, and support efforts to disseminate research findings. The SWE Research Advisory Council members also serve as a conduit for SWE members to communicate their opinions and share their expertise. Membership to this council is by invitation only.

The current members of the SWE Research Advisory Council:

  • Stephanie G. Adams, PhD, Dean, Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas
  • Carlotta M. Arthur, PhD, Executive Director, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
  • Caterina Cocchi, PhD, Professor, Physics Department, University of Oldenburg
  • Diane Foley, Senior Director, Information Technology, Raytheon Company
  • Gretchen Hein, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University
  • Karen J. Horton, PE, Professor (retired), Mechanical Engineering Technology, University of Maine
  • Peter F. Meiksins, PhD, Vice Provost for Academic Programs (retired), Cleveland State University
  • Andresse St. Rose, EdD, Director of Educational Research and Evaluation, Education Development Center (EDC)
  • Bevlee A. Watford, PhD, PE, Professor, Engineering Education, Virginia Tech
  • Rishelle Wimmer, MA, Senior Lecturer, Information Technology and Systems Management, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

The following SWE staff support the Research Advisory Council:

  • Roberta Rincon, PhD, Associate Director of Research
  • Laurie Shuster, Editor-in-Chief

SWE Research Division Timeline

The following timeline lists the major activities that the SWE Research Division has undertaken since its inception.

SWE Research Timeline v