- 65,000+ attendees at I Wish events since 2015
- 2,249 survey respondents in 2021
- 83% of survey respondents said that role models in STEM were important to them
During this critical time for our planet, helping students – tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers – consider how they could use STEM to address the global challenges facing society has never been more important.
Arup has proudly supported I Wish since the initiative began in 2015. Seeking to address the low participation of females in STEM, combined with a STEM skills gap, I Wish highlights the rewarding and varied careers available in STEM and the opportunities it could provide.
During the showcase events, students visit the Arup stand to find out how a career in STEM could enable them to make a positive impact on the future of our planet.
During an annual conference, secondary school students are given insights into what it means to work in STEM.
As a partner of I Wish, Arup’s engineers and consultants share their career stories with the students through a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions and informal talks at the Arup stand.
Founded in Cork, Ireland in 2015, the conference expanded to the capital city Dublin two years later. In 2023, the conference was held as a hybrid event, with 2,600 students attending in person and 8,400 students from 25 countries joining online. Since it began, 24,600 girls have attended in-person events and 40,400 students have attended virtually.
I Wish is committed to continue reaching a global audience, with the initiative now moving from an annual event to a year-round outreach programme. This includes mentorship programmes, campus events and engagement at primary school level, ensuring ongoing support and a network for these young women as they progress in their education and careers.
“ Our planet is facing fundamental crisis – climate change, food poverty, COVID-19. We need the best and brightest minds at the table to help solve these problems. At I Wish, we are dedicated to showcasing the power of STEM to the next generation of female innovators and changemakers. ” Gillian Keating I Wish Co-Founder
“Since our partnership began in 2015, over 150 Arup staff have shared their stories and empowered the students to consider how they too could make a difference by working in STEM. ”
Amy Fishbourne Associate Director
Shaping a better world through STEM
I Wish survey the attendees at showcase events, creating the largest survey of female students’ attitudes towards STEM in Ireland. With 81% of girls saying they would like a job where they can help other people, we are dedicated to working with I Wish to showcase how people working in STEM careers can improve people’s lives. From helping cities become resilient in the fight against climate change to designing inclusive sustainable transport solutions, showing the girls the impacts of STEM innovations on society is vital to improve perceptions of STEM.