NAU-CHINA is committed to promoting inclusivity within synthetic biology and STEM fields, particularly focusing on enhancing participation from historically underrepresented groups. Understanding the barriers these groups face, our team has developed initiatives, such as ShePower Interviews, iGEMBTI activity, and educational outreach in rural Guangxi, to broaden their access and participation to promote education equality. These programs are designed to make science more accessible and appealing, and are informed by continuous dialogue with the target groups to ensure their needs and values shape our efforts. Through these targeted actions, we aim to dismantle existing barriers and cultivate a more inclusive and representative scientific community, enhancing the quality and impact of research. We view inclusivity as a work of "EMBRACE":

Empowerment: Focusing on empowering underrepresented groups, like women and rural students, to engage in STEM and pursue leadership roles in science through initiatives such as ShePower Interviews.

Mentorship: Providing mentorship by connecting these groups with role models, offering guidance, support, and inspiration to help them succeed in STEM fields.

Breaking Barriers: Addressing and dismantling societal, cultural, and educational barriers that prevent diverse groups from accessing opportunities in synthetic biology and STEM.

Representation: Ensuring visibility and representation of underrepresented individuals in STEM fields, showcasing their stories to inspire future generations.

Accessibility: Creating accessible and inclusive educational platforms that encourage participation from diverse backgrounds, as seen in our outreach programs in rural Guangxi, ICII platform, and WeChat Official Account.

Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between volunteers, institutions, and communities to create inclusive educational experiences that promote equality.

Equality: Advocating for and implementing educational projects that strive to provide equal opportunities for all, bridging gaps in resources and representation.

All photos taken during the activities were granted permission, and all measures followed the safety policy.

The ShePower Interviews initiative by NAU-CHINA aims to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. Observational data highlights a significant gender disparity in STEM, with women often excluded from higher-paying, high-status positions within technical domains^[1].

Fig. 1 | Women in STEM Occupation (Adapted from AAUW )

There are several factors that widen the gender gap in STEM such as:
(Adapted from https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/the-stem-gap/)

Gender Stereotypes: STEM fields are often viewed as masculine. Teachers and parents often underestimate girls’ math abilities starting as early as preschool.

Male-Dominated Cultures: Because fewer women study and work in STEM, these fields tend to perpetuate inflexible, exclusionary, and male-dominated cultures that are not supportive of or attractive to women.

Fewer Role Models: Girls have fewer role models to inspire their interest in STEM fields, seeing limited examples of female scientists and engineers in books, media, and popular culture. There are even fewer Black women role models in math and science based on the information provided by AAUW.

Math Anxiety: Teachers, who are predominantly women, often have math anxiety. They pass the anxiety on to girls, they often grade girls harder for the same work, and they assume girls need to work harder to achieve the same level as boys.

Fig. 2 | SDG 5: Gender equality

By sharing the stories of female scientists, peers, and leaders from various disciplines through our WeChat Official Account, we strive to inspire young women to dream big, and pursue what they want without hesitation, thus contributing to a reduction in the gender pay gap and fostering a diverse and talented workforce.

Interview Format and Selection of Participants: Our interviews are conducted with a range of women from various STEM fields, including academia, and industry. We select interviewees who have demonstrated excellence in their fields to provide insightful and inspiring stories about their journeys. These stories not only cover their professional achievements but also delve into the challenges they faced, strategies for success, and advice for young women aspiring to enter STEM fields.

Fig. 3 | New Explanation of FEMALE

Example of Featured Interview: One standout session was with our Peer Zou Yuntong, a notable graduate of Nanjing Agricultural University, who shared her experience from student life to her professional career in quantitative and systems biology research in the United States. We redefine PEER as Path choices, Exploration insights, Endurance against adversity, and Rallying call. Her story illuminated the path through academic challenges, cultural transitions, and professional perseverance, providing a detailed look into the resolve and dedication required to excel in STEM. On top of that, we discussed with female scientists like Prof. Qiao Wenjing, Zhang Keyun, etc. We attempt to use their stories to motivate more people to pursue their dreams bravely.

Below are some examples (English version) of the interviews we carried out:
(Click the pictures, you can see the transcripts of each activity)

Fig. 4 | With Zou Yuntong

Fig. 5 | With Prof. Zhang Keyun

Fig. 6 | With Prof. Qiao Wenjing

Fig. 7 | With Chen Tianxin

The feedback from both the interviewees and the audience has been profoundly positive. Interviewees have expressed appreciation for the platform to share their experiences and insights, noting the importance of visibility for women in their fields. Audience feedback highlights how these stories have motivated and encouraged young women to consider and persist in STEM careers.

Reflecting on the series, our team has gained deeper insights into the systemic issues that discourage women from pursuing STEM. The discussions have reinforced the necessity of continuous efforts to support and promote diversity within scientific communities. We plan to extend this initiative by incorporating more diverse voices and expanding our outreach to younger audiences to impact them at crucial decision-making stages of their education.

Building on the success of our initial interviews, we plan to:
Expand the scope of interviewees to include more women from diverse backgrounds and lesser-represented STEM fields.
Develop educational partnerships with schools and universities to integrate these interviews into curricula and career counseling.
Host live Q&A sessions with interviewees to provide direct interaction and mentorship opportunities for students.

NAU-CHINA prioritizes safety and inclusivity in all our initiatives. For every activity, a Safety Guarantee was submitted to the College of Life Science, and coordinators underwent prior training to ensure they were equipped to work with diverse groups, including underrepresented and minor communities. Consents were obtained from parents, guardians, and interviewees before using any photos or video materials on our WeChat Official Account and website, ensuring that all participants' rights and privacy were respected throughout our inclusivity programs.

To ensure a safe environment during our ShePower Interviews, all sessions were conducted in well-monitored spaces with permission from the interviewees. All interview recordings and photos were taken with prior consent, respecting their privacy and ensuring confidentiality. We followed ethical guidelines for sharing personal stories and ensured interviewees could review and approve all materials before publication.

During the "Build Your Own Cell Factory" activity, safety precautions included providing cut paper and sanitized tools for participants when constructing plasmid models. All materials used were non-toxic and age-appropriate. Supervision was provided at all times.

For the "Meet Flower Pounding" activity, we used non-toxic plants and ensured that all tools, such as mallets and fabric, were safe for children's use. Facilitators were trained to supervise the children closely. First-aid kits were readily available, and a safety briefing was conducted before the activity began.