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News Release from: UK Resource Centre for Women in SET
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 11 April 2005
Programme makers urged to feature women
in SET
Scientists and engineers will meet with TV writers and producers to discuss what action can be taken to encourage the production of more science-based TV drama that features leading female characters.
On 11th April scientists and engineers will meet with TV writers and producers to discuss what action can be taken to encourage the production of more science-based TV drama that features leading female characters At the meeting recommendations made in a report issued earlier this month will be discussed
The report, produced by the Public Awareness of Science and Engineering (PAWS) Drama Fund, is the outcome of a meeting held last November which brought TV dramatists, script writers and producers together with science, engineering and technology (SET) professionals to forge a better understanding of how science and engineering can inspire new and popular television drama.
The report makes 12 recommendations, stemming from short-term measures to make role models more visible and accessible to writers, to longer terms measures to improve status and perception of science in society at large.
Contributors to the last event - subtitled "Sex, lives and videotape" - included producer Nick Pitt and writer Tony McHale, both of whom worked on the BBC's hit drama "Silent witness", in which Amanda Burton starred as Sam Ryan, a Professor of Forensic Science.
The impetus behind the PAWS project, which is sponsored by the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET (UKRC) and six other organisations, stems from widespread concern in the UK about the lack of young people, and particularly women, pursuing careers in the SET industries.
Women are under-represented in SET and in engineering account for just 8% of the workforce.
Considerable skills shortages also exist in these industries; this year it is expected that an additional 10,000 young people will be needed to fill engineering apprenticeships.
A lack of public understanding about SET occupations is thought to be a large part of the problem.
TV drama is recognised as one of the most powerful ways of changing perceptions; the number of applications for forensic science shot up following the success of series such as "Silent witness" and "Waking the dead".
UKRC Director, Annette Williams, comments: "TV is a powerful medium".
"If current trends continue, by the age of 18 the average child will have spent more time watching TV than any other activity except sleep".
"And after leaving school, for the overwhelming majority of people in Britain, science is experienced almost wholly through television and broadcast media".
"The UKRC is proud to support the PAWS project".
"We hope that it will result in more female role models appearing in the media, capable of inspiring future scientists and engineers".
The 11th April meeting will look at how the report's recommendations can most effectively be translated into action.
Ultimately it is hoped that the recommendations will lead to increased communication between the media and the world of SET, and result in more science-based TV drama (featuring women in lead roles).
TV producer Andree Molyneux is optimistic.
She comments: "The elements are there (in SET) for a writer to weave into a compelling narrative capable of attracting several million viewers".
The meeting will take place at the Institute of Physics in London on Monday.
It is open to interested individuals and is free to attend.
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