Iowa State is hosting a conference, “Retaining Women in Early Academic Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technical Careers,” from Oct. 17 to 20.

Participants, primarily from Midwest land-grant colleges, will gather at the Gateway Center.

“We hope to establish a dialogue to define the major issues facing women in SMET,” said Amy Bix, professor of history, “to exchange productive ideas about improving conditions for women’s participation in these fields, and to suggest retention projects which may help on specific campuses.”

The conference will focus on the low percentage of women professors and graduate students in SMET fields.

“There are still major barriers to women in these fields and also a significant drop-out rate at every level,” said Jill Bystydzienski, director of the women’s studies program and professor of women’s studies and sociology.

“Here we are in the 21st century, and there is a real shortage for people trained in these fields,” Bystydzienski said, “and yet, recently there has been a drop in all students, especially within these fields.”

The conference features keynote speakers, panels and teamwork sessions concerning the situation of women in SMET fields.

“There’s been a growing amount of good research over recent years on the history, sociology, psychology and politics of women’s position in science. We’ve been able to bring in some really strong researchers in this field to speak at our conference,” said Bix, who will be delivering the opening address Thursday night. A total of six speakers will present during the conference.