Why was WREN created?

Women are systematically underrepresented in research. According to UNESCO, just 30% of researchers worldwide are women. This number is even less for BIPOC, low-income, or LGBTQ+ women. WREN seeks to increase the number of female-aligned individuals in research through connecting students with faculty researchers, developing a supportive network of women in research at Northeastern, and providing unique funding and presentation opportunities.

Furthermore, a primary goal of WREN is to provide opportunities and support to those underrepresented in research. The WREN team acknowledges that forces beyond gender, such as racism, classism, homophobia, xenophobia, and others, create additional barriers for women hoping to enter the world of research. WREN seeks to help women overcome these barriers, and the program is designed with a diverse team of women in order to support and uplift the entire Northeastern student body, regardless of their background. If you have any ideas on how to make WREN a more inclusive program, please contact us.