Since the beginning of space travel, only 11.5% of astronauts have been female. Asked to draw a scientist, two thirds of primary school children will draw a man in a white lab coat. In Australia, only 35% of STEM university degrees are awarded to women.
As part of World Space Week, we will ask female astronomers why they pursued a career in STEM, what we can do to prevent gender bias in young children and what needs to happen to create a world where girls and boys alike can reach for the stars.
