Automation Engineering: the participation and professional performance of black women

Abstract

This article, the result of a postdoctoral research project, presents a study on female representation in Control and Automation Engineering, focusing on the participation of Black women in technical Mechatronics programs and undergraduate courses in Control and Automation Engineering in the region of Sorocaba, São Paulo. The research was based on a quantitative and qualitative approach, involving the analysis of statistical data from two public institutions in the region and interviews with Black women students who entered the programs between 2020 and 2024 and those graduating in 2024. The results indicate a low female participation rate, and even more notably, that of Black women in this field—highlighting the persistence of gender and racial inequalities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), which also extend into the professional sphere. The interviews revealed experiences of social exclusion, academic isolation, and gender and racial prejudice, as well as the importance of affirmative policies and support collectives. The discussion draws on Black women scholars such as Angela Davis (2016), Djamila Ribeiro (2019), and Cida Bento (2022), who problematize the intersections of gender, race, and class. The study concludes that promoting equity in the field of Control and Automation Engineering requires effective institutional policies, including the support and retention of Black women, initiatives targeting basic education, and the strengthening of Black student collectives within universities. This research contributes to the broader debate on the inclusion and professional advancement of Black women in engineering, providing insights for academic and social practices that promote justice and diversity.