CREW Revisited in 2007 - The Year of Women in Engineering
In a time of severe skills shortage in the engineering profession, women still make up less than 10% of professional engineers in Australia. Engineers Australia has recognised that the attraction and retention of women in engineering is both morally and economically important and has declared 2007 - The Year of Women in Engineering, to raise awareness about the issues of concern to women in the engineering profession, as well as to celebrate their contribution to it.
A nationwide survey was conducted by the National Women in Engineering Committee of Engineers Australia in 1999, titled the Careers Review of Engineering Women (CREW). The CREW study indicated that disturbing levels of sexual harassment and discrimination were being experienced by women in the engineering profession, that they were generally less satisfied with their careers and career progression than were men and that they were more likely to leave the profession than men. The initial survey was then followed up in 2002-3 with in-depth interviews of both women and men engineers.
In 2007 the CREW survey has been repeated. It was hoped that there would be some improvement since 1999, given the increasing awareness of some engineering companies about diversity issues, and the increased introduction of family friendly policies such as paid maternity leave. This paper discusses the initial results of the 2007 survey and compares them with the 1999 data and the interview outcomes.