Young women are calling for a new narrative around STEM. One that is more inclusive, creative and inspiring. This is the key finding from the survey conducted by The Wom, the digital magazine that has become a benchmark for new generations, in collaboration with the Sylla Research Institute and under the scientific supervision of Professor Furio Camillo. The results were previewed in Milan during the STEM Women Congress 2025, the international event that promotes the participation and visibility of women in the fields of science and technology.

The research, entitled “Donne, STEM e Futuro (Women, STEM and the Future)”, is based on more than 500 questionnaires completed by Gen Z and Young Millennial women from The Wom community. The findings reveal a generation determined to change the rules of the game:

• One in three already studies or works in a STEM field;
• One in five has felt discouraged from choosing a scientific path;

Despite this, 84% consider STEM careers stimulating, and 50% also see them as creative, a strong signal that overturns the old stereotype of science as something cold, dull or “for nerds”.

Additional insights from the research

Awareness and knowledge:

• 58% know what the acronym “STEM” stands for (rising to 66% among teenagers, the most informed group);
• 51% still associate “STEM” with the male world, although the other half of respondents do not;
• 39% of under 18s see women in STEM as pioneers and role models for others (the overall average falls to 29%);

Persistent stereotypes:

• 79% have heard at least once that “girls aren’t good at maths”;
• 45% have heard that motherhood is an obstacle (“they have children, so they have other priorities”);

Perceived barriers:

• 55% identify work-life balance as the main challenge to pursuing a STEM career;
• 51% believe the gap stems from an education system that still favours boys;
• 50% feel there are few opportunities for growth and leadership;

A new vision: from “safe careers” to “careers that change the world”

For 51% of respondents, women who pursue a career in STEM are still largely seen as exceptions in a male-dominated world. However, there is a clear need to reshape the narrative around STEM disciplines – moving beyond numbers and financial security to highlight creativity, social impact and empowerment. This is reflected in the “headlines” that resonate most with young women:

• “Girls changing the world with technology” (34%);
• “Not just numbers, but the future” (32%);
• “Where creativity is also science” (29%);

Only 5% recognise the role of STEM subjects in helping to secure employment (“the key to having a stable job in the future”), a sign that perceptions around STEM careers are shifting.

Alongside iconic role models such as Samantha Cristoforetti and Fabiola Gianotti, scientific digital creators (24%) are also gaining influence — figures like Ilaria Lucrezia Rossi, a physicist and science communicator known for her @shescience profile, are seen as accessible role models who can inspire others through social media.

More women in STEM: how?

To build a more equitable future in STEM, women surveyed – 60% of whom said they would like more support and training – identified education and communication as the key areas for improvement:

• inclusive events starting from middle school
• fair and motivating school guidance
• eliminating stereotypes in media and language
• better work–life balance.

“The survey reveals a strong desire for change within The Wom community. The findings clearly show the need to evolve towards a STEAM perspective that integrates the arts and recognises creativity as a vital element in nurturing innovative thinking,” said Daniela Cerrato, CMO of Mondadori Media, during the presentation of the data. She added: “The young women we spoke to are calling for a shift in the collective imagination, which must also come through better representation in the media – so that science and technology finally become accessible and sustainable career choices. That’s the mission that drives The Wom every day.”

“With the Milan Congress, we wanted to go beyond simple discussion: we built a narrative shaped by data and diverse voices – scientists, artists, companies and, above all, young people – who showed us how STEM can and must be a source of inspiration and real opportunity for the next generations,” said Morena Rossi, Head of Content for SWC 2025, and Laura Basili, President of Stem Women Congress Italy.

The Wom at the forefront of the future of STEM

With this research, The Wom reaffirms its mission to give voice to young women by exploring the perceptions, motivations and barriers that bring them closer to – or distance them from – scientific and technological careers. The aim is to provide qualitative insights that enrich the institutional debate and contribute to a more inclusive and effective narrative around STEM careers, offering valuable guidance for brands as well.

As media partner of the second Italian edition of the STEM Women Congress – the international event promoting women’s participation and visibility in science and technology, which brought together scientists, artists, companies and young people for a day of talks, panels and performances – The Wom also took part in the panel “Intelligenza artificiale o ipnosi culturale? (Artificial Intelligence or Cultural Hypnosis?)”  The discussion, moderated by Valentina Lonati, Culture Editor of The Wom, offered a critical and multidisciplinary perspective on one of today’s most relevant topics: the impact of artificial intelligence on education and culture. The debate featured leading experts, communicators and academics.

In addition to The Wom’s “Women, STEM and the Future” survey, the event also presented the latest ISTAT data on STEM and the first Stem Women Annual Report Italy, with the goal of increasing the visibility of women in science and technology and promoting a new, inclusive vision for the future.

At the close of the morning session, The Wom presented the STEM Woman Award to Filomena Floriana Ferrara, CSR Country Manager at IBM Italy.

Award rationale: Filomena Floriana Ferrara stands out as a pioneer in the field of computing, both as a project leader and mentor. She combines digital innovation, technological expertise and social responsibility, and through her education initiatives for young women she has fostered empowerment in the STEM sector, offering a direct bridge between personal experience and inspiration for the future, in line with the values of The Wom.

The research can be downloaded at this link.

The Wom is the leading social magazine for Italian women, dedicated to the younger generation and focused on sharing real stories while promoting self-acceptance. It is a key reference point for young women on Instagram, with a combined following of over 10 million, and reaches more than 9 million unique users each month across web and social platforms (Comscore Social Incremental Reach, average last three months). In 2023, The Wom was awarded at the Diversity Media Awards for “Miglior articolo web (Best Web Article)” and in 2025 received, together with the Mondadori Group, the Special Advisory Board Award “Assolombarda per il sociale (Assolombarda for the social).”

The Sylla Research Institute specialises in the design and implementation of market research studies. Its scientific director is Professor Furio Camillo.