Chicago, Illinois – January 24, 2022 – Media Release
Women and other minority identity groups remain underrepresented in the uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) and advanced air mobility industry, particularly in leadership positions, according to research from a triad of women-owned businesses, Women And Drones, P3 Tech Consulting and the Diversity Development Network of Canada (DDNC).
Data collected through the Women and Drones – DDNC – P3 Tech 2021 UAS/AAM Industry DEI Survey conducted between August 6 and September 17, 2021, shows that when asked “Please indicate the percentage ranges of leadership positions among the following diverse groups you employ in your UAS/AAM or UAS/AAM-related Business or Organization” the following results were noted:
- The highest rankings of diverse groups of leadership positions representing under 20% of senior management positions within respondent organizations were the Asian Racial Category at 57.53% followed by Native American or Alaska Native Racial Category at 56.8% and Black or African Racial Category at 55.88%.
- The highest rankings of diverse groups of leadership positions representing 21% to 50% of senior management positions within respondent organizations were the Female Gender at 31.51% followed by Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish Origin Ethnic at 31.38% and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 29.72%.
- The highest rankings of diverse groups of leadership positions representing 71% to 85% of senior management positions within respondent organizations were the White Racial Category at 9.98% followed by LBTGQ Community at 8.37% and Female Gender at 8.23%.
Meanwhile, almost 75% of respondents said they also felt moderate to extreme concern about the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the UAS/AAM industry in general.
More than 80% of respondents expressed concern, ranging from moderate to extreme, about the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their own UAS/AAM or UAS/AAM-related Business or Organization.
A slightly higher percentage (81%) expressed moderate to extreme interest in increasing DEI in their companies.
Rounding out the top ten industry takeaways from the survey, respondents also expressed believes that DEI is important to the success of UAS/AAM and UAS/AAM-related businesses, that a lack of DEI would result in financial impacts to businesses and that it is important for the industry to understand the value DEI brings to the table.
The data also indicated that the industry, as represented by respondents, desires effective DEI programs across a broad range of topics, skills, and human-relations type initiatives.
Almost all respondents expressed interest in participating in an UAS/AAM Advisory Committee to provide industry input towards DEI, skills & competencies development, programming and training to ensure Industry relevance.
The Women and Drones – DDNC – P3 Tech 2021 UAS/AAM Industry DEI Survey was conducted as a self-selecting survey tool targeting a variety UAS and AAM businesses and sectors across the U.S. Approximately 1082 individuals responded to the survey during the six-week period it was open.
The Vertical Flight Society (VFS), the world’s only international technical society for engineers, scientists and others working to advance vertical flight technology, as part of a larger educational partnership with Women And Drones, sponsored more than twenty $50 gift cards, in support of a random draw made for every 50 responses received upon survey completion.
A summary of the survey findings can be accessed by downloading the complimentary report here. Additional data and findings from the survey will be released in a 100 plus page market report which will be available for purchase soon in the coming weeks, through the Women And Drones website.
About Women and Drones
Women And Drones is the leading membership organization dedicated to driving excellence in the uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry by advocating for female participation in this dynamic segment of the global economy. The organization partners with companies committed to an inclusive culture where women can thrive. Our educational programs range from kindergarten to career in efforts to balance the gender equation in the industry now, as well as for the future of flight.
About P3 Tech Consulting
P3 Tech Consulting LLC is a U.S. company that connects people who have a passion for advanced technology platforms with full spectrum policy-relevant information to propel their companies and to do global good. Its services include consulting, expert presentations and publications on tech legal & policy issues, strategic planning and policy/program creation with an emphasis on UAS and AAM. P3 Tech delivers unique education programs that partner with academia, the legal ecosystem, technical programs and commercial expos and produces the weekly Dawn of Drones podcast, affiliated with DroneLife news.
About Diversity Development Network of Canada
The Diversity Development Network of Canada is a Canadian non-profit corporation that supports Industry, Industry Organizations, Academia, Other Diverse Groups, Individuals and Government spanning Aerospace & Aviation, Defense & Space, Advanced & Digital Manufacturing industries such as Automotive, Rail and Marine sectors. It aims to leverage resources to directly increase diverse peoples’ access, entry and advancement to fill current and future highly skilled employment gaps to directly support workforce actualization and sustainable Industry growth.
