Frize, Monique; Deschênes, Claire, 2026, “Supporting Data for: Women’s Contribution to Science and Technology through ICWES Conferences”, https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/LZJJLV, Borealis, V1, UNF:6:6sHlyQvXXqWMhYBDJYVKtA

The International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) database is the supporting data for the book: “Women’s Contribution to Science and Technology through ICWES Conferences”, published in January 2024 at Springer. However, important topics remain to be investigated.

The ICWES database represents a rich testimony of the worldwide participation of women involved in science and engineering, and how they overcame their isolation through networking.

It covers ICWES-I to ICWES-XVII (1964 to 2017). The original data is part of the Archives for women in STEM. It was digitalized and deposited in Borealis, the University of Ottawa data deposit.

It contains a mix of presentations (scientific papers, keynotes, invited and plenary lectures), and different types of activities, such as workshops, symposia, panels, round tables, poster presentations, student competition papers, business meetings, tours, and social activities, etc. The ICWES database contains the conference documents (programs, proceedings, reports, booklets, etc.) for ICWES-I to ICWES-XVII, as well as organizers of the different conferences, some lists of participants, Delegate Business Meeting reports, testimonials, bibliographies, letters, emails, transcriptions of oral testimonies and instructive oral sources, and some artifacts, such as photos and, for ICWES VIII, recorded tapes and their (partial) transcription.

Aspects of the first twelve proceedings have been written in the book published in 2024, but important topics remain to be investigated, such as:

• Evolution of the “women in STEM” question and outreach over 50 years.
• The international impact of the ICWES conferences on women in STEM issues.
• Contribution by women to knowledge and technologies in STEM fields.
• Reciprocal relationships between science and society.
• Contributions to Women Studies and ecofeminism.
• Evolution of the North and South, East and West dialogues between participants.
• Evolution in times of transversal issues (p. ex. technological development, the environment, communications, activism, …).

On the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Library and Archives Canada, the Archives of Ontario, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO announced the addition of the Elsie Gregory MacGill fonds to the Canada Memory of the World Register.

We warmly congratulate Kelsey Beauvais, a CIWES-ICFIS Board member, who was the leader of the submission and nomination of the Elsie Gregory MacGill fonds to the Register. She worked with her colleague Aziza Bayoumi from Archives of Ontario. This fonds highlights the exceptional contribution of Elsie Gregory MacGill (1905–1980), a pioneer woman in STEM. Elsie was the first Canadian woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering and the first to obtain a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.

For more information, please consult the announcement from the Canadian Commission: Elsie Gregory MacGill fonds added to Canada Memory of the World Register

The organization is pleased to welcome two new board members: Kelsey Beauvais is an archivist at Library and Archives Canada. She has over 10 years of experience working with documentary heritage. Catherine Mavriplis is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa, where she works on advanced numerical methods for aerodynamics simulations. She held the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in Ontario from 2011 to 2021.

On February 6, 2024, a joint online and in-person event was organized by the Library of Ottawa University, with the support of the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and CIWES-ICFIS, to launch the book “Women’s Contributions to Science and Technology through ICWES Conferences” and to celebrate the renewal of the MOU between the University of Ottawa and LAC. The event discussed the importance of archives in ensuring the accomplishments of women in Canadian STEM are known to future generations.

A panel moderated by Paul Dufour celebrated the contributions of women to STEM, with panellists Geneviève Tanguay, Vice-Chief Science Advisor, Government of Canada, and Catherine Mavriplis, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa and former NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (Ontario).

We are pleased to announce that Monique Frize is one of the two 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners of the Imperial College of Science and Technology (London, UK) 2024 Alumni Award winners. This prestigious honour celebrates the outstanding lifetime achievements of members of their community.

As our global landscape becomes more intricate and dynamic, individuals with courage, ambition, and the right set of skills are crucial to tackling the challenges on the horizon.

Discover Monique’s inspiring story:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/Stories/alumni-awards-2024-monique/

We are pleased to announce the publication of:

“Women’s Contributions to Science and Technology Through ICWES Conferences“

Authors: Monique Frize, Claire Deschênes, Ruby Heap, with collaboration of Karine Laporte.
Foreword by Jill S. Tietjen and Gail Mattson.
Springer International Publishing, Women in Engineering and Science book series, January 2024, DOI 33800-7

This book documents the history of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). It demonstrates the leadership and vision of women in male-dominated STEM professions, and the continuous efforts of women involved in STEM, since 1964, to establish modes of networking and sharing their contributions in STEM and gender issues. This effort was carried out by volunteers, continuing the ICWES conferences over a period of 59 years.

Over 18 chapters, the book discusses many aspects of the legacy of The International Conferences of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES).

The authors hope that everyone interested in the topic of women in STEM, – and especially INWES members -, will be drawn to the history of the ICWES conferences, which led to the creation of INWES and CIWES-ICFIS. They also hope to inspire women and girls, men and boys, to study and work in STEM fields.