UTEC’s MÁS Network (Women in STEAM Fields), an innovative initiative for equitable and quality higher education.

Authors

Keywords:

Gender, STEAM, MÁS network, collaboration

Abstract

At Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC), women remain underrepresented in steam fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), reflecting a gender gap that persists both nationally and internationally. This inequality, limits women access to economic opportunities and leadership roles in key sectors for innovation. Factors such as the disproportionate burden of caregiving, the lack of female role models, and limited access to support networks hinder their professional development and retention in these disciplines.

To address these disparities, UTEC launched the más network (Mujeres en Áreas ) in 2024, a space dedicated to promoting visibility, empowerment, and female participation in science, arts, and technology. Through mentorship programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns, más fosters diversity, equity, and female leadership, creating an inclusive environment that supports women’s professional growth.

This initiative responds to a concrete need within the university and aligns with a sustainable development model, strengthening access to quality education and gender equality. más-utec represents an institutional commitment to cultural transformation in steam, contributing to closing the gender gap and generating a positive impact on both the university and society.

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Author Biographies

  • Sofía Horjales, Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC, Uruguay)

    Sofía Horjales, Biologist. PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
    STEAM Instructor of the Sustainability for Development Program,
    Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UTEC.

  • Nelly Beguerie, Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC, Uruguay)

    Nelly Beguerie, Bachelor in Psychology, currently pursuing a Master’s in Gender, Society and Public Policies.
    Introductory Course Instructor of the Sustainability for Development Program,
    Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UTEC.

  • Florencia Palma, Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC, Uruguay)

    Lic. Florencia Palma, Coordinator of the Sustainability for Development Program,
    Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UTEC.

References

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Kijima, R., Yang-Yoshihara, M. y Maekawa, M. S. (2021). Using design thinking to cultivate the next generation of female STEAM thinkers. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(1), Artículo 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00271-6

Lockwood, P. (2006). “Someone like me can be successful”: Do college students need same-gender role models? Psychology of Women Quarterly, 30(1), 36-46. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2006.00260.x

Meyer, M., Cimpian, A. y Leslie, S.-J. (2015). Women are underrepresented in fields where success is believed to require brilliance. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, Artículo 235. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00235

Moè, A., Hausmann, M. y Hirnstein, M. (2021). Gender stereotypes and incremental beliefs in STEM and non-STEM students in three countries: relationships with performance in cognitive tasks. Psychological Research, 85(2), 554-567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-019-01285-0

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Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura y Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. (2020). Mujeres en Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación en Uruguay: un factor clave para avanzar en la igualdad de género y desarrollo sostenible. https://www.anii.org.uy/upcms/files/listado-documentos/documentos/informe-pa-s-vf.pdf

Wang, M.-T., Degol, J. L. (2016). Gender Gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Current Knowledge, Implications for Practice, Policy, and Future Directions. Educational Psychology Review. 29(1), 119-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9355-x

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Published

2025-11-10

How to Cite

UTEC’s MÁS Network (Women in STEAM Fields), an innovative initiative for equitable and quality higher education. (2025). LINKS Revista Internacional, 3(1). https://revista.utec.edu.uy/ojs/index.php/revistalinks/article/view/23

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