Speaking at the recent launch of the UCD Men In STEM awareness campaign, organiser Daithí S. Monney, revealed that the initiative had not had the desired impact. Just four students showed up at their launch event, with three attendees telling the Turbine that they were there “to see if this shit was actually real.”
The organiser is passionate about his ‘cause’ however, and Daithí was eager to sit down for an interview to iron out any perceived ‘misunderstandings’ regarding his organisation. So, once he found a corner of the Clubhouse which he felt had a sufficient “80:20 male-to-female ratio” we sat down for a chat.
When asked about the reasons for starting his movement, he stated: “We were here to provide a platform for men who feel marginalised by society and for the 37% of men who are blocked from entering STEM career paths”
That particular figure is based on the fact that 73% of STEM workers are men, however, Daithí and his colleagues insist that there are many disparities within the industry that prevent men from climbing the ladder, such as preferences for other careers, and lack of intelligence. The student community seems perplexed by the emergence of the organisation, however, with the majority of male STEM students not feeling the need to be represented by anyone.
“Over a third of our members feel inadequate, and our organisation gives them the platform they need to blame others for their shortcomings,” Daithí went on to say, “When you read the figures about men in STEM and then manipulate those figures to fit an agenda then you’ll understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
The organisation aims to ensure that all men are working in the STEM field by 2030 but insists that their goals will not have any impact on others looking to enter the field. They have insisted that the low numbers of women entering STEM jobs should not be the main focus, which is reflected in their slogan: ‘Just because there’s loads of us already doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be more.’
“We’re not doing this to marginalise anyone,” said Daithí, “But if that happens then I suppose it just happens.”
Jack Nolnod – Turbine Editor
