Last week on March 8th 2024, was International Women’s Day and this year our Canadian firm have highlighted two incredible women to speak on the topic of this year's theme #inpiringinclusion along with sharing their stories on being women in the STEM industry.
Here is what Charlotte Dong & Rachael Storry had to say when we approached them with the following questions:
- Tell us your background in STEM? (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
- What does Inspiring Inclusion mean to you?
- How can we work together as a profession to Inspire Inclusion?
STEM background:
- With a background in physiology, I have conducted research in various areas of the life sciences, including endocrinology, gastroenterology, neuroscience and antibody therapeutics. As my research skills grew, so did my interest in discovering new things, putting together pieces of a puzzle and telling a story. It turns out that these skills and interests align very well with my current practice in intellectual property.
Inspiring inclusion means:
- Like many of my colleagues who have moved from the world of science to the practice of IP, I have an appreciation for people with different experiences and offering different perspectives. To me inspiring inclusion means at its core valuing people of all backgrounds and their unique contributions.
- I once heard in a yoga class that you're as young as your spine is flexible and as wise as your mind is open, which really resonated with me. Aside from doing what one considers fair and right, perhaps inspiring inclusion simply means being smart and open to change.
How can we work together as a profession to inspire inclusion?
- Criteria for exclusion are man-made and are therefore removable. There are many ways for us to connect, with an open mind, towards a common goal, in spite of those artificial exclusion criteria that have been created. We can take inspiration from those who do interdisciplinary and translational work, to build bridges and to create value as a team comprised of people coming from all backgrounds.
STEM background:
· In high school, my brother took Physics, Maths, and Technological Studies as advanced classes and I wanted to be like him. I showed an aptitude for Physics and Maths and decided to also take Tech Studies. My high school was very lucky to have an extremely knowledgeable and inspiring Tech Studies teacher that made the syllabus accessible. Having access to material studies, electronics, pneumatics, and programming, was instrumental in establishing my path into STEM at a further education level. That, as well as a supporting and encouraging family, has led to where I am now.
· Latterly, my high school had a Tech Studies and Graphic Communication teacher that was a woman. In contrast, there were very few women in lecturing roles in my department at university, however, my year was quite diverse compared to others, with several female engineering graduates pursuing advanced degrees.
Inspiring inclusion means:
· Having someone that looks like you teaches and inspire you is a step in the right direction for breaking down societal norms and gender stereotypes. Access to role models like this, who can provide real insight into STEM professions, is an important part of encouraging and inspiring girls and young women, from all walks of life, into exciting and rewarding careers. I was fortunate enough to have access to industrial sponsorship while studying. I had the opportunity to experience different engineering roles and learn for myself what a career in engineering might look like for me. A career in STEM does not always mean safety glasses, hard hats, and overalls. A career in STEM does not mean sacrificing your femininity.
How can we work together as a profession to inspire inclusion?
· Degree courses and careers in STEM fields are still dominated by men, and the further specialization into the patent profession only makes diverse representation more difficult. We can take steps to address this by getting involved, be it through mentorship or providing career insight talks to young students that otherwise may not discover that our profession exists. Before moving to Canada, I would return to my high school to provide career insights and provide interview coaching for university engineering applicants. I hope to find a way to do something similar here as a way to inspire and encourage others.
Inspiring inclusion means recognizing the perspectives and contributions from women. It means ensuring that women are valued, respected, and empowered to participate, and ensuring that the same opportunities are available to us that are available to others. Our knowledge, expertise, and experiences are to be celebrated and learned from. It is important to have the conversations about unconscious bias and challenge each other to be better.
Learn more here on how M&C proudly supported International Women’s Day: https://www.marks-clerk.com/insights/news/marks-clerk-proudly-supports-international-womens-day-2024/