Pioneer women in engineering studies: what can we learn from their experiences?

Women's access to higher education in Spain began in the last third of the nineteenth century. However, the full incorporation of women into technical studies did not occur until a century later. This article presents the results of research into the access of the first women to do technical st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of engineering education 2016-11, Vol.41 (6), p.678-695
Main Authors: Pardo, P., Calvet, M.D., Pons, O., Martinez, M.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to Education
Admission (School)
Analogies
Comparative Education
Discriminació
Discrimination
Dones i tecnologia
Economia i organització d'empreses
Education
Education, Higher
Educational Change
Engineering Education
Engineers
Ensenyament universitari
Equal Education
Equal opportunities
European History
Females
Foreign Countries
Gender
Gender Discrimination
Gender Issues
higher education
Igualtat
Qualitative Research
Questionnaires
Schools
Semi Structured Interviews
Statistical Analysis
Students
Technical education
Technical Institutes
Women
Women in engineering
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC
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Summary:Women's access to higher education in Spain began in the last third of the nineteenth century. However, the full incorporation of women into technical studies did not occur until a century later. This article presents the results of research into the access of the first women to do technical studies in Catalonia (northeast Spain). Data have been collected from 11 technical schools belonging to the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) with the aim of understanding the dynamics of the incorporation of women into these schools between 1851 (foundation of the first engineering school in Catalonia) and 1980. Interviews were conducted with 21 pioneer women who completed their technical studies. Their experiences show how technical schools had to adapt, both physically and culturally, to female students. Finally, the current status of female engineers in Catalonia is compared with the situation in other Western countries. Similarities are found that show the relevance of gender as a social structuring force.
ISSN:0304-3797
1469-5898
DOI:10.1080/03043797.2015.1121464