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About WISE

 

Engineering progress for women in STEM.

Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) has been working for change for more than 40 years.

 

Founded in 1984 through a collaboration between the Engineering Council and the Equal Opportunities Commission, WISE was created to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Since then, WISE has evolved alongside the sector, expanding its focus from engineering to the full breadth of STEM, and from advocacy alone to action grounded in evidence. 

Today, we work with organisations that are ready to move beyond intent and deliver measurable progress, helping them to implement change which will further the support they offer their women employees and, in turn, strengthen their organisation.

Who we are today

In 2025, WISE became fully integrated into the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), receiving the benefits of the scale, credibility and reach of a global professional engineering institution, while retaining a clear, dedicated focus on unlocking opportunity for women in STEM.

Today, WISE supports the STEM sector to create workplaces where women are fully represented, supported and able to thrive.

Our mission remains unchanged. Our impact is growing.

Our purpose and mission

Our purpose 
To support the STEM sector in building workplaces where women can contribute, progress and succeed. 

Our mission 
To ensure women in STEM experience inclusive, equitable workplaces where they can develop fulfilling, sustainable careers. 

We do this by working with organisations to: 

  • Identify and dismantle systemic barriers 
  • Use evidence to guide action and accountability 
  • Embed inclusion into culture, leadership and strategy

How we work

WISE brings together evidence, expertise and partnership to engineer change that lasts. 

We are: 

Factual

Led by data, research and insight 

Focused

Clear about what works and what doesn’t 

Frank

Honest about challenges and progress 

Dynamic

Driven by action, not rhetoric 

What WISE offers 

WISE membership

WISE membership supports organisations at every stage of their gender‑equity journey, from building foundations to embedding equity at leadership level.

We offer two membership pathways: 

  • Explorer – providing evidence, learning and practical tools to build momentum 
  • Champion – offering leadership‑level partnership with embedded expertise and accountability 

Both are designed to turn commitment into measurable progress, at pace and at scale.

To find out more about membership, contact WISE@theiet.org.

Discover the organisations who are already driving change as WISE members.

EDI expertise and support 

WISE works with organisations to build inclusive STEM workplaces where women can thrive. 

We offer: 

From inclusive recruitment to culture change and leadership accountability, our work is evidence‑led, focused and outcomes‑driven. 

My Skills My Life

Inspiring the next generation of women into STEM. 

My Skills My Life is WISE’s award‑winning outreach platform, designed to show young people the breadth of opportunities available across science, technology, engineering and maths.

Using real women’s stories and a strengths‑based matching tool, My Skills My Life helps young people, particularly girls, see where they belong in STEM. It focuses on skills, interests and preferences, rather than stereotypes, opening pathways that might otherwise feel out of reach.

Check out the platform

WISE Young Professionals Committee (YPC)

The WISE Young Professionals Committee (YPC) brings together early-career voices who are passionate about shaping a more inclusive STEM future. Through collaboration, advocacy, and fresh perspectives, YPC members help influence WISE initiatives and inspire the next generation of talent.

Discover how the YPC is making an impact

Training workshops 

Our training equips people with the confidence, capability and tools to act. 

Workshops cover areas such as: 

  • Inclusive recruitment 
  • Tackling bias 
  • Allyship and inclusive leadership 

Delivered online or in person, all training is interactive, practical and grounded in evidence, led by facilitators who understand the realities of working in STEM. 

Training is available both for individual and small group bookings, or in-company.

Events and community 

Bringing the sector together is a core part of our work. 

WISE delivers a programme of events that create space for learning, challenge and collaboration, from expert‑led webinars to our flagship Conference and Awards. 

Most events are exclusive to members, with selected sessions and our annual conference open to the wider sector.

Explore upcoming events via our calendar

Get involved

If you’d like to explore how WISE can support your organisation, we’d love to talk. 

Contact us at WISE@theiet.org and find out how we can work together to engineer real progress. 

Our history 

WISE has been driving change since 1984. 
Our focus has evolved, our purpose has not. 

Find out more about the history of WISE.