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As the climate crisis escalates, the critical role of women in science is gaining recognition as a vital component for developing effective solutions.

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Department of Earth Science and Engineering (ESE) at °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ partnered with the Indonesia-based non-profit Girls and Women in Renewable Energy Academy () to run a collaborative workshop, ‘She Leads the Change: Women in STEM for Climate Resilience.’

The event, held at Nahdalatul Ulama University, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, on 5 August 2025, aimed to bridge the gender gap in scientific fields and harness diverse perspectives for planetary solutions, in turn taking a significant step towards a more inclusive and effective approach to climate action.

By combining technical knowledge with empathy-driven leadership, we can build more resilient communities that are both energy-secure and inclusive. Rosita Andi GAWIREA founder and CEO

“The climate crisis is not only an environmental challenge but also a social one,” said , Founder and CEO of GAWIREA, and ESE alumnus. “Through GAWIREA, we aim to ensure that women and girls are not left behind in the transition to renewable energy. By combining technical knowledge with empathy-driven leadership, we can build more resilient communities that are both energy-secure and inclusive.”

Addressing a dual challenge

The climate crisis disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, and addressing it demands innovative, science-based solutions. However, a critical component is often missing: the full participation of women.

Women remain significantly underrepresented in such fields, particularly in leadership roles – a gap that not only limits diversity in problem-solving but that also hampers the development of truly inclusive and equitable climate policies and technologies.

‘She Leads the Change’ was conceived as a direct response to this challenge. Supported by ESE’s Women and Girls in Science Outreach Fund – established to provide funding for ESE students and postdocs to pursue outreach activities – the workshop had a clear mission to empower female university students by providing exposure, practical tools and relatable role models. In turn, it aimed to inspire careers in STEM that are dedicated to tackling climate change.

GAWIREA’s grassroots mission

The driving force behind this initiative, GAWIREA, is a youth-led non-profit with an inspirational origin story. Legally established under the Nyda Perempuan Sebata Foundation in Indonesia, GAWIREA was founded in 2021 by a group of young women leaders who had witnessed firsthand how limited access to energy disproportionately affected women and children in rural areas in their country.

What began as a grassroots response from village-based workshops has evolved into a structured academy that integrates non-formal education, technology and community empowerment.

“Our mission is to equip girls and women, especially those in underserved and remote areas, with the knowledge and skills to use renewable energy as a vehicle for social and economic advancement,” explained Rosita, who was recently an MSc student at ESE studying the Geo-Energy with Machine Learning and Data Science (GEMS) programme.

“As a GEMS student, I learned how data science and machine learning can be applied to real-world energy challenges, from optimising renewable systems to reducing environmental impact. These skills strengthened my vision to bridge technology with community empowerment through education and collaboration.”

Interaction and inspiration

The ‘She Leads the Change’ workshop was delivered to a total of 65 students and was carefully designed to be interactive and impactful, consisting of three core sessions that blended practical applications with inspiring messaging.

The event opened with a session that first set the stage by discussing the urgency of the global situation. It emphasised the critical role that young people, particularly young women, can play as agents of change in shaping a sustainable future.

This was followed by a hands-on section where participants moved beyond theory to engage with the fundamentals of solar power systems. Through a simulation of an off-grid setup, they gained a practical understanding of how clean energy works and its potential to empower communities, helping to foster both critical thinking and technical confidence.

Finally, an innovative, card-based learning game acted as a useful tool for participants to step into the shoes of policymakers, simulating the complex negotiations and considerations involved in creating equitable climate policies.

By exploring the principles of climate justice from multiple stakeholder perspectives, it encouraged the participants to centre collaboration and empathy in these types of decision-making.

Inspiring outcomes

The outputs of the workshop were immediate and profound. Participants said the workshop had provided them with a significant awareness of the climate crisis and the essential role of women in STEM fields, and that they had gained practical knowledge about renewable energy.

Perhaps most importantly, there was a palpable sense of empowerment and inspiration that built the participants’ confidence in pursuing STEM careers that have meaningful social and environmental impact.

By emphasising inclusivity and equipping young women with the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead, the program successfully helped a new generation to see their potential as leaders in the fight for climate resilience.

Building a strategic future

Looking ahead, GAWIREA’s strategic plans are ambitious. Building on the success of pilot programs like (a dynamic schools outreach programme), the organisation plans to expand into full-scale national programs across Indonesia in 2025.

Key priorities include strengthening digital learning tools, developing a formal training curriculum that links renewable energy with livelihood development, and diversifying funding sources. A landmark initiative in the pipeline is the establishment of a Centre for Renewable Energy and Community Development, which GAWIREA envisions as a national hub for research, training and collaboration.

A collective effort

The success of ‘She Leads the Change’ was a collective achievement. GAWIREA extends heartfelt acknowledgements to the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Nahdlatul Ulama University of Indonesia, field facilitators, local partners in West Kalimantan, and the passionate young changemakers from across eight provinces who brought the mission to life. Above all, they thank the communities who shared their wisdom and inspired their path forward.

In a world in need of innovative and just solutions, this special collaboration between GAWIREA and Imperial demonstrates that empowering women in STEM is not simply an issue of equality, but in fact a strategic imperative for the sake of the planet. Rosita Andi GAWIREA founder and CEO

“In a world in need of innovative and just solutions, this special collaboration between GAWIREA and Imperial demonstrates that empowering women in STEM is not simply an issue of equality, but in fact a strategic imperative for the sake of the planet,” said Rosita.

“‘She Leads the Change’ has sown the seeds for a more resilient and inclusive future, and proves that when women in science lead, change does indeed follow.”