With more than 150 speakers from 25 countries, ICWES19
promises to offer anyone involved in the innovation sector
any number of examples of how STEM (science, technology,
engineering and maths) and, in particular, women in STEM are
helping to change the world.

The 19th International
Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES19) will
take place in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest
city, in September 2023. The conference theme – Shaping
the Future – will offer examples of and insights for women
studying and working in STEM, and their advocates, and
showcase the potential of science and engineering to change
the world for the better.

The conference programme,
which will open with a keynote from futurist Dr Kristin
Alford, includes keynote sessions focused on Antarctica,
Space and the COVID-19 pandemic. An afternoon, including
panel discussion, will explore how the STEM sector can
become truly diverse and inclusive.

With streams of
talks on seven areas of STEM, case studies focused on
diversity and equality in STEM, and professional development
workshops, the three-day programme has something for
everyone.

Following the conference, attendees are
invited to join field trips to see Aotearoa New Zealand STEM
in action.

“Women are still under-represented in
many areas of science and engineering, particularly at more
senior levels,” says Emma Timewell, co-Chair of ICWES19 on
behalf of AWIS. “Being able to bring women together to
discuss not only the amazing work that they do, but also to
find ways to improve the global engagement of women in STEM,
is a privilege.”

“New Zealand is a country built
on innovation in science and engineering,” says Bryony
Lane, co-Chair on behalf of Engineering New Zealand.
“We’re excited to be able to showcase Aotearoa New
Zealand to the rest of the world.”

ICWES is the
flagship triennial conference of the International Network
of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES). ICWES19 is being
hosted by the New Zealand Association for Women in the
Sciences (AWIS) and Engineering New Zealand.

ICWES19
is grateful for support from its sponsors – Stantec, the
University of Auckland, the Ministry of Business, Innovation
& Employment, NIWA, Plant & Food Research, Manaaki
Whenua Landcare Research, Te Herenga Waka Victoria
University of Wellington, and Te Pūnaha Matatini.

For
more information on the conference, including registration
and details on how to sponsor the conference, go to icwes19.com.

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