Where Are the Women in the Drone Industry?

The question arises frequently in technology forums and aviation conferences: Where are the women? Within the rapidly expanding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector, the question reflects broader trends in aviation and STEM fields.

Susan Bickford, owner of New England UAV and Stewardship Coordinator and GIS Specialist at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, brings both practical and academic experience to the discussion. With a Master of Science in Resource Management and Conservation from Antioch University New England, she has worked for nearly two decades at the intersection of GIS, conservation and emerging drone technology. Her goal is clear: integrate remotely sensed data and UAS tools into environmental decision-making.

From Aviation to UAS: A Converging Path

Bickford’s career spans environmental management and military aviation support, including service as a combat weather forecaster with the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Her exposure to aviation operations later informed her transition into civilian drone applications when regulatory shifts around 2012 opened commercial possibilities for UAS.

Recognizing the convergence of photography, aviation and geospatial science, she co-founded New England UAV with fellow veteran Allegra Ross. Like many early-stage companies in a developing industry, the firm faced the challenge of defining its niche. Ultimately, it focused on helping colleges and universities integrate UAS curricula into existing programs—particularly within environmental and natural resource disciplines.

Through partnerships such as those with Unity College, students receive structured training in drone operations, regulatory compliance under Part 107, policy development and environmental use cases. The objective extends beyond flight skills: it cultivates technical literacy and applied spatial thinking.

Stepping Back: Women in Aviation and STEM

To understand representation in the drone industry, Bickford broadened the inquiry. Where are women in aviation overall? Research from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has shown that women comprise roughly ten percent of students in post-secondary aviation programs, with female faculty representation even lower.

Expanding further, the conversation intersects with long-standing disparities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Studies examining women in male-dominated technical sectors identify persistent barriers: limited acceptance, societal stereotypes, reduced mentorship access and self-imposed performance pressure.

Yet change is underway. Organizations such as She Flies and Women and Drones promote gender equity in aviation and UAS careers. Their initiatives foster visibility, mentorship and data collection—critical tools for shaping workforce development.

The Reality in UAS

Available statistics indicate that thousands of certified female remote pilots operate in the United States, and participation continues to grow. A substantial portion of these pilots are in their twenties and thirties—an encouraging sign for long-term industry diversification.

However, focusing solely on remote pilot certification understates women’s contributions. The UAS ecosystem includes maintenance specialists, engineers, researchers, educators, marketers, compliance officers and policy advisors. Many of these roles remain undercounted in demographic reporting, obscuring the full scope of participation.

Industry events such as the AUVSI Xponential conference reveal both the scale of the unmanned systems sector and the importance of structured dialogue. Facilitated discussions have explored speaker representation, mentorship networks and pathways for young women entering technical fields. Generating sustained conversation remains essential to measurable progress.

Practical Strategies for Growth

Expanding women’s presence in aviation, STEM and drones requires early engagement and structural support. Research suggests that girls in mixed-gender technical environments may become self-conscious by middle childhood, particularly in performance-driven subjects. All-girl STEM programs can foster confidence and reduce fear of failure.

Spatial awareness development—often influenced by early exposure to construction toys, engineering activities and sports—also plays a role in technical readiness. Encouraging participation in robotics, coding, mapping and engineering strengthens foundational competencies relevant to UAS.

Equally important are visible female role models and structured mentorship programs. Representation at conferences, in classrooms and in leadership positions reinforces possibility. Conversations must extend across industries and cultures, acknowledging that in some parts of the world women are only beginning to access even basic mobility freedoms.

Continuing the Conversation

The central answer to “Where are the women?” is increasingly clear: women are present, active and advancing within the drone industry. Yet representation remains uneven, and comprehensive data collection is incomplete.

Sustained dialogue—across aviation, STEM education and UAS innovation—will determine the trajectory of the next decade. As the industry evolves, inclusion will depend not only on technological advancement but on mentorship, policy and visibility.

The conversation does not end with a single panel or presentation. It continues in classrooms, research reserves, startup companies and conference halls—where the future of unmanned systems is being shaped by a growing and increasingly visible community of women professionals.