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Sustainability Transformation Processes as a Driving Force to Promote Female Participation in STEM-Oriented Higher Education Institutions: A Chilean Case Study

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Title: Sustainability Transformation Processes as a Driving Force to Promote Female Participation in STEM-Oriented Higher Education Institutions: A Chilean Case Study
Language: English
Authors: Claudia Mac-lean, Danae Cancino, Luis Vargas, Darinka Radovic, Magaly Vera
Source: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2026 27(4):813-830.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: STEM Education, Higher Education, Womens Education, Females, Disproportionate Representation, Sustainability, Change Agents, Foreign Countries, Sex Stereotypes
Geographic Terms: Chile
DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-04-2024-0276
ISSN: 1467-6370
1758-6739
Abstract: Purpose: International research and organisations focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have, for years, addressed the problem of the underrepresentation of women in careers in these fields. This issue is critical when considering that diversity in working teams can provide enhanced solutions to pressing world problems. However, empirical studies have recently shown that careers related to the environment and sustainability are more appealing to women. In this context, this study aims to explore whether female participation has an enhanced role in the incorporation of sustainability processes at a STEM higher education entity. Design/methodology/approach: This case study of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Chile (FPMS) was examined as a descriptive statistical analysis. It was developed using a two-scope methodology: the historical perspective and the current state lens in the main higher education dimensions of teaching, research and outreach. A set of indicators was created to demonstrate whether the engagement of women in sustainability-focused endeavours was significantly higher than in activities or areas that are not closely related to sustainable development. Findings: The main findings show that within the FPMS, sustainability has provided a space for women to further engage and become change agents in a STEM environment. This case study finds that sustainability is an area of interest and attraction for women in engineering and science at the higher education level, with the potential implications of challenging existing gender stereotypes in STEM disciplines and contributing to meeting sustainability standards by increasing diversity within teams. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to adopt this approach and research question in Chile and Latin America.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505987
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Sustainability Transformation Processes as a Driving Force to Promote Female Participation in STEM-Oriented Higher Education Institutions: A Chilean Case Study
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Claudia+Mac-lean%22">Claudia Mac-lean</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Danae+Cancino%22">Danae Cancino</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Luis+Vargas%22">Luis Vargas</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Darinka+Radovic%22">Darinka Radovic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Magaly+Vera%22">Magaly Vera</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Sustainability+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(4):813-830.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 18
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Womens+Education%22">Womens Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disproportionate+Representation%22">Disproportionate Representation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Change+Agents%22">Change Agents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+Stereotypes%22">Sex Stereotypes</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chile%22">Chile</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/IJSHE-04-2024-0276
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  Data: 1467-6370<br />1758-6739
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: International research and organisations focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have, for years, addressed the problem of the underrepresentation of women in careers in these fields. This issue is critical when considering that diversity in working teams can provide enhanced solutions to pressing world problems. However, empirical studies have recently shown that careers related to the environment and sustainability are more appealing to women. In this context, this study aims to explore whether female participation has an enhanced role in the incorporation of sustainability processes at a STEM higher education entity. Design/methodology/approach: This case study of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Chile (FPMS) was examined as a descriptive statistical analysis. It was developed using a two-scope methodology: the historical perspective and the current state lens in the main higher education dimensions of teaching, research and outreach. A set of indicators was created to demonstrate whether the engagement of women in sustainability-focused endeavours was significantly higher than in activities or areas that are not closely related to sustainable development. Findings: The main findings show that within the FPMS, sustainability has provided a space for women to further engage and become change agents in a STEM environment. This case study finds that sustainability is an area of interest and attraction for women in engineering and science at the higher education level, with the potential implications of challenging existing gender stereotypes in STEM disciplines and contributing to meeting sustainability standards by increasing diversity within teams. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to adopt this approach and research question in Chile and Latin America.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1505987
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      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
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      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
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      – SubjectFull: Womens Education
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      – SubjectFull: Disproportionate Representation
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Chile
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      – TitleFull: Sustainability Transformation Processes as a Driving Force to Promote Female Participation in STEM-Oriented Higher Education Institutions: A Chilean Case Study
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