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Women’s mind and bodies were up for discussion at the latest Soup & Substance event.

The final Soup & Substance took place on April 24 and featured panelists Ben Barry, professor of equity, inclusivity and diversity from the School of Fashion; Daniel Drak, fourth-year fashion student; Imogen Coe, dean of the Faculty of Science; and Gosha Zywno, electrical engineering professor. The talk centred on Women’s Minds & Bodies: Curricular Diversity in Fashion, Science and Engineering.

Soup & Substance was kicked off this year to engage community members in an open conversation about diversity-related topics such as accessibility, aboriginal identity and multiculturalism. The monthly series is moderated by Denise O’Neil Green, Ryerson’s first assistant vice-president/vice-provost, equity, diversity and inclusion.

While fashion and science are two very different disciplines, there’s a similarity in that the perception of women in each field poses challenges. Women are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas whereas fashion is a gender-specific market that focuses more on females than males and includes one uniform look. All panelists agreed that although changing industry opinions and attitudes is difficult, it can be achieved through the education of future designers and engineers.

“It’s hard to change the industry but it’s a good opportunity to influence students who can push future change and begin industry changes,” Barry said. “Getting students to create a variety of sizes not just one sample size of two, can help lift barriers.”

When Zywno started her career 30 years ago only five per cent of women made up the 50,000 registered professional engineers. Today that number has reached eight per cent but Zywno says the amount of women enrolling in engineering continues to increase.

“Women seem to be drawn to disciplines that offer a holistic view,” Zwyno said. “We have to actively go out and change perceptions. We can’t wait for them to come to us. [For the 21st century curriculum] We have to think about the profession’s impact on society and how it can be relevant. Use this to recruit females.”

Image is a leading issue in both science and fashion. Zywno says the stereotypical male “geek” representation still exists in Hollywood films and those are not the types of students she sees in class every day. In fashion, Drak concludes there is one beauty ideal and the image has shifted to include both genders.

“The old ideal for men was tall, masculine and handsome,” Drak said. “But currently there’s a hyper-skinny ideal that mimics the beauty ideal for women. Fashion follows a tried and true recipe. Now that consumers are noticing the need for diversity, that can change the marketing and production of fashion.”

Change is needed for both industries to diversify. Although cultural opinions don’t change overnight, putting the work in now with young people sets the groundwork for transforming the future.

“Young people are not cynical and people are still idealistic,” Zywno said. “They want to change the world. There is a need in them to do good and it’s our obligation as a university to support them in that endeavour.”

Soup & Substance will pick up again in fall 2013 with a new set of topics and speakers. Watch Ryerson Today for announcements later in the summer.