The insights and lessons we gained from our Action Learning Plan activities focused on addressing the leaky pipeline for women in STEM in Serbia were the result of various research endeavours. Conducting this research is crucial for addressing the leaky pipeline in women in STEM in Serbia, as it provides insights into the existing gender gap, identifies barriers in IT education and industry, and offers recommendations to enhance gender equality and inclusivity in this critical sector. We conducted a report that relies on a combination of archival research, utilizing domestic and EU data along with informal sources, and field research encompassing gender analysis at IT-oriented faculties and a study of alumni, as well as investigations in five diverse IT companies in Serbia, offering a comprehensive understanding of the gender gap in the IT sector. Our main insight in this effort was:  1.1 Our report highlights a considerable presence of women in Serbia's IT sector but also emphasizes persisting gender imbalances and talent gaps. It underscores the importance of in-depth analysis, focusing on factors like role models, management roles, pay disparities, and the impact of parenthood, to comprehensively address gender inequities in the industry. Research on gender distribution at Tech/IT events in Serbia is vital for tackling the leaky pipeline in Women in STEM. It offers insights to address disparities, break stereotypes, and enhance women's visibility, fostering a more inclusive and innovative Tech/IT industry. In this area, we mapped two major insights: 2.1. When it comes to speaker Representation Disparities, we found that gender dynamics at Tech/IT conferences in Serbia show progress but persistent disparities in speaker representation. Women average 23% of speakers, with variations among conferences. Some exhibit lower or higher female representation, influenced by topic relevance and intentional invitations beyond pure technology. 2.2. When it comes to audience Representation and Proactivity, we found that women constitute 35% of the audience, indicating a more favorable representation compared to on-stage speakers. Women are increasingly proactive in applying for conferences, with growing representation in younger generations. While progress is evident, collaborative efforts are needed to further reduce the gender gap and promote diversity in the Serbian tech/IT industry and events. Applying innovative methods such as User Journey mapping as research was crucial in unravelling the complexities of the leaky pipeline phenomenon for women in STEM in Serbia, shedding light on disparities in salary, career progression, and representation, and providing insights into the root causes, especially within the context of STEM fields and the IT industry. In this area, we mapped two major insights: 3.1. Despite data indicating gender disparities, women in the IT industry generally express satisfaction with their workplace, emphasizing a more equal position in a well-paid industry at home and in the household. 3.2. When it comes to challenges in the later career stages of Women in STEM/IT in Serbia, we found that inequality concerns and heightened challenges arise in the later stages of women's IT careers, particularly exacerbated by motherhood. The speed of industry change and the need to balance various responsibilities present significant obstacles to career advancement.

The knowledge and lessons acquired from our research activities are shaping the program activities of the UNDP CO Gender team within the SDGs Integration Center. The Gender team is presently focused on developing the new Program Document, and the insights gathered from AccLab's activities serve as a solid foundation for program initiatives and communication plans. Additionally, they serve as effective engagement tools for interacting with donors and sustaining meaningful conversations with them. Furthermore, our research activities involved extensive engagement with various stakeholders from both the private and civil sectors, including data collection and result validation. For certain reports, we intend to organize collaborative sessions with these stakeholders to collectively create and validate the generated knowledge including the recommendations that are directly relevant to these actors and their fields/sectors/industries. Moreover, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia has expressed keen interest in a collaborative partnership with AccLab and the Gender team. The aim is to harness our knowledge for their forthcoming initiatives in 2024, reflecting a commitment to advancing gender equality. Finally, our handover process shares insights with advocates and organizations to address gender gaps in STEM, empowering women by fostering inclusivity. STEM professionals benefit by engaging with successful women and creating an inspirational network. AccLab and the Gender team collaborated, gathering STEM representatives to share knowledge and facilitate discussions for future planning.

The chosen data types, social network/social media data and user journey mapping, were selected strategically to address specific gaps in available data and to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women in STEM fields. The user journey map approach was chosen to gain insights into the trajectory of women in IT by visualizing their experiences, challenges, and opportunities throughout their careers. This methodology allows for the identification of key touchpoints, decision-making processes, obstacles, motivators, and outcomes in a woman's career. By mapping out this journey, it becomes easier to pinpoint specific pain points and bottlenecks that affect career growth and advancement. The user journey map provides valuable insights for organisations and policymakers to design more effective strategies for addressing the gender gap in IT, promoting diversity, and fostering inclusion in the tech industry. Social media data analysis, specifically using platforms like LinkedIn, was chosen to uncover trends, perceptions, and attitudes related to women in STEM. Analyzing discussions and insights from online platforms provides a near real-time and dynamic view of the challenges and opportunities women encounter in STEM fields. This type of data analysis is crucial for guiding targeted interventions and communication strategies, challenging stereotypes, and promoting gender equality in STEM in Serbia.

The innovation methods employed, including Social Media Analysis, Prototyping, and Human-Centered Design, were crucial in addressing the frontier challenge and unpacking the systemic issues related to women in STEM. User-Centric Design: Applying user-centric design principles was essential to ensure that interventions were tailored specifically to the unique needs, preferences, and challenges faced by women in STEM. Involving the target audience in the design process made solutions more relevant, accessible, and user-friendly. This approach helped in crafting interventions that directly addressed the identified pain points of the women in STEM fields. Testing Interventions: The implementation of pilot interventions and the use of prototyping allowed for the assessment of their effectiveness in retaining women in STEM. This iterative approach enabled rapid learning and adjustment of initiatives based on real-time feedback and outcomes. Testing interventions provided valuable insights into what worked and what needed refinement, contributing to the development of more effective strategies. Focus Groups/Gathering Different Stakeholders: Organizing focus groups with diverse stakeholders, including female STEM students, professionals, educators, and advocates, played a vital role in facilitating open discussions and ideation. These focus groups helped in identifying barriers, potential solutions, and opportunities for collaboration across sectors. Involving a variety of perspectives allowed for a more holistic understanding of the systemic challenges women face in STEM. Social Media Data Analysis: Utilizing social media data analysis, particularly through platforms like LinkedIn, was instrumental in uncovering trends, perceptions, and attitudes related to women in STEM. Insights gained from online discussions guided targeted interventions and communication strategies to challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality in STEM. Social media data analysis provided a real-time and dynamic view of the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the field. In-Depth Interviews: Conducting in-depth interviews with women in STEM fields, educators, industry leaders, and policymakers was crucial for obtaining valuable qualitative data. These interviews revealed personal experiences, challenges, and success stories, offering a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the leaky pipeline phenomenon. The qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews complemented the quantitative insights gained through other methods, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the systemic issues.

The interplay of innovation methods, new forms of data, and collaboration with unusual partners played a pivotal role in enabling us to achieve unique insights that would have been challenging to attain using traditional approaches. 1. Innovation Methods: The combination of innovation methods such as Social Media Analysis, Prototyping, and Human-Centered Design fostered a dynamic and iterative approach to problem-solving. This allowed us to rapidly test and refine interventions based on real-time feedback. The iterative nature of prototyping and testing interventions facilitated a continuous learning process, enabling us to adapt strategies more effectively. 2. New Forms of Data: Utilizing new forms of data, including social media data analysis and user journey mapping, provided real-time and contextual insights into the experiences, perceptions, and challenges faced by women in STEM in Serbia. Traditional data sources might not have captured the dynamic nature of online discussions or the nuanced journey of women in the field. These new data forms enriched our understanding, allowing us to identify trends, sentiments, and patterns that might have been overlooked. 3. Unusual Partnerships: Collaborating with unusual partners, such as diverse stakeholders in focus groups and industry leaders, brought multifaceted perspectives. These partnerships facilitated open discussions, creativity, and the identification of barriers and opportunities from different vantage points. Insights from these unusual partners contributed to a more holistic understanding of the complex challenges within the STEM landscape in Serbia. Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating with unconventional partners, including HR managers, various NGOs, and private sector entities, facilitated cross-disciplinary learning and the utilization of diverse expertise. This interdisciplinary engagement fostered innovative thinking, resulting in solutions that incorporated a range of perspectives. Learning from partners with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skills expanded our approach and revealed insights that traditional, isolated methods might have overlooked. Despite the presence of various stakeholders in the Women in STEM discourse in Serbia, the complexity of the topic, coupled with ongoing changes and challenges, necessitates new approaches and the generation of fresh knowledge. 5. Holistic Understanding: The interplay of these elements allowed us to develop a more holistic understanding of the systemic issues affecting women in STEM in Serbia. The combination of innovative methods, new data sources, and unusual partnerships created a synergistic effect, generating insights that went beyond the sum of individual contributions. This holistic approach empowered us to design interventions that addressed the multifaceted challenges faced by women in STEM more comprehensively.