Contreras, S. E., & Buswell, N. T. (2025, April), Who invented that? A man, most likely  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE PSW Conference, California Polytechnic University, California. 10.18260/1-2--55202

\bibitem{asee_peer_55202}
  Contreras, S. E., \& Buswell, N. T. (2025, April), \emph{Who invented that? A man, most likely}
  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE PSW Conference, California Polytechnic University, California.
  10.18260/1-2--55202

Sabrina Elise Contreras and Natascha Trellinger Buswell.  "Who invented that? A man, most likely".  2025 ASEE PSW Conference, California Polytechnic University, California, 2025, April.  ASEE Conferences, 2025.  https://peer.asee.org/55202 Internet.  18 Jul, 2025

\bibitem{asee_peer_55202}
  Sabrina Elise Contreras and Natascha Trellinger Buswell.
  "Who invented that? A man, most likely".
  \emph{2025 ASEE PSW Conference, California Polytechnic University, California, 2025, April}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2025.
  https://peer.asee.org/55202 Internet.  18 Jul, 2025

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_55202
author = "Sabrina Elise Contreras and Natascha Trellinger Buswell"
title = "Who invented that? A man, most likely"
booktitle = "2025 ASEE PSW Conference"
year = "2025"
month = "April"
address = "California Polytechnic University, California"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/55202}
number = {10.18260/1-2--55202}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - The underrepresentation of women in patent-heavy industries, which are rooted in STEM disciplines such as mechanical engineering, computer science, and biotechnology, poses significant challenges to the broader landscape of innovation. These industries drive technological advancement and societal progress, yet they disproportionately exclude women, whose unique perspectives could lead to more inclusive and impactful solutions. The lack of female representation not only limits diversity in thought but also narrows the focus of new inventions, especially in addressing issues such as women's health, education, and care based technologies, where female inventors are known to make unique contributions. This literature review explores systemic barriers that perpetuate gender disparities in patent-heavy industries and intellectual property systems. These barriers include gendered patent laws, inequitable access to STEM education and career opportunities, and biases ingrained in patent examination and approval processes. For example, studies indicate that women inventors face higher rejection rates for patents, particularly for technologies aimed at addressing care-based or female-specific needs. This diminished recognition hinders the protection and commercialization of these inventions, creating a cycle that discourages women from engaging in patent-heavy fields. Additionally, structural challenges such as the lack of mentorship, institutional support, and funding opportunities further marginalize women in these industries. Women inventors tend to focus on innovations addressing unmet societal needs, often prioritizing healthcare and caregiving solutions. Despite their potential to drive transformative advancements, these contributions are frequently undervalued or overlooked within male-dominated patent systems. This lack of inclusivity not only limits individual contributions but also hampers the development of technologies that could benefit society at large. Addressing these disparities is therefore not just a matter of equity but a crucial step toward fostering a more holistic and effective innovation ecosystem. By synthesizing findings from various studies, this literature review highlights the gendered nature of intellectual property systems and the ways in which systemic inequities stifle innovation. For instance, the review highlights how cultural stereotypes and implicit biases affect women’s participation in STEM education and careers, which subsequently reduces their representation in patent-heavy industries. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that women are often excluded from collaborative networks and leadership roles, which are critical for advancing patentable innovations. This research argues that dismantling these barriers could unlock impactful advancements in healthcare, sustainability, and societal well-being. Proposed solutions include revising patent frameworks to ensure equity, fostering gender parity in STEM education and career pipelines, and implementing policies that recognize and protect innovations addressing caregiving and female-specific needs. Additionally, this review emphasizes the importance of changing cultural perceptions and stereotypes to create a more inclusive environment for women in STEM and patent-related careers. Future research could delve deeper into how female-led inventions differ from male-led ones, particularly in addressing societal challenges such as healthcare, education, and sustainability. Understanding these distinctions could provide valuable insights into the unique contributions of women inventors and underscore the importance of their representation in shaping the future of innovation. By addressing gender disparities, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and effective system that benefits society as a whole.

AU  - Sabrina Elise Contreras
AU  - Natascha Trellinger Buswell
CY  - California Polytechnic University, California
DA  - 2025/04/10
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Who invented that? A man, most likely
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/55202
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--55202
ER  -