| Title | 45 Years of Women in the Geothermal Sector: 1980-2025 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karen R. Christopherson, Kelly Blake, Mary Mann, Amelia Letvin |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Over the past few years, from a qualitative perspective, women’s participation in the geothermal sector has continued to increase. This paper will serve as an update to our paper presented at WGC 2020, with added statistics and an expanded industry questionnaire. In this paper, we present a review of women’s participation in the US and other geothermal sectors over the last 45 years. We will also show where women’s involvement has improved, as well as share their impact on policies. In 2020, geothermal companies across the United States participated in a brief questionnaire aimed at assessing gender diversity within their organizations. The collected data, which included metrics on conference attendance, board membership, and leadership from major geothermal associations, revealed significant progress in the industry over the timespan of the tracked data. However, the findings also highlighted areas where there was room for further growth. Building on this initial study, a follow-up survey was conducted in 2025 with a larger sample of geothermal companies. This expanded survey not only revisited the original questions on gender diversity but also introduced new inquiries regarding parental leave policies. The inclusion of parent leave policy questions aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the industry's commitment to supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces. The results of the 2025 survey indicate continued progress in gender diversity and provided a baseline for parental leave practices, with the intent that the industry continue to foster an equitable work environment. |