Gender Equality Resources

Gender Equality of Science Graduates Research Project

Enrolment Data

In September 2009, AIC examined enrolments by gender in diploma, undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs of agriculture at nine Canadian academic institutions. We requested recent (2008-09) enrolment figures by program and gender and for four years previous (2005-06), and summarized the responses in January 2010. We noted the dramatic difference in numbers of women between enrolments in bachelor’s programs when compared to Master’s and doctoral programs in agriculture. We are interested to know why this decrease occurs and what actions from the agri-resource sector would impact the potential number of female scientists graduating and subsequently working in Canada.

While we did not obtain data from all organizations or data that totals the Statistics Canada report on university enrolment in agriculture, natural resources and conservation studies, we obtained preliminary data that identified trends of female enrolment in agriculture.

Note that these figures are based on numbers received from eight Canadian universities and are subject to correction as they reflect selective program data.

AIC contacted the Deans who supplied the data and the Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine with a report of the results. AIC requested their interest in a partnership to explore the study of the current status and roles of women or gender balance in agri-resource sciences in Canada, including academia and the professional workforce. We defined agri-resource sciences to encompass not just food production, but also human and animal health, bio-products, environment and others.

The AIC Acting Executive Director and International Program Coordinator attended a meeting with the Deans of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine on April 23 to discuss AIC’s interest in the topic of female enrollments in agricultural science. The deans are focused on resolving problems of decreasing enrolment and budgets and do not have the resources to take an active lead in a research project.

Status and roles of women in agri-resource sciences in Canada

In January 2010, AIC put out a call to women’s studies/gender studies faculties and departments at Canadian universities to identify partners interested in working on a research project to study the current status and roles of women or gender balance in agri-resource sciences in Canada, including academia and the professional workforce.

A phone meeting was held in April 2010 with the individuals who expressed interest, including expertise in economics, statistics, agricultural economics, women’s studies, and business administration related to gender and organizations.

The next steps recommended were a literature review, a concept paper to define the issue, indicating how the information would be used with government, universities, industry, AIC and scientific societies, and to explore funding possibilities.

Suggestions for places to explore funding include Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), Deans of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Status of Women Canada, Faculties of gender studies, University of Guelph – Rural Women Making Change.

The AIC Board of Directors will decide on how the information would be used to allocate resources towards continuing this project outside of the international program funding after it has determined the focus for AIC`s programs and activities to increase and involve the membership.