The primary purpose of the evaluation was to assess the extent to which the UKRC was meeting its mission, purposes and objectives, and its effectiveness.

Given the policy background and the innovative nature of the Centre, the initial focus of this evaluation covered two key elements: first, whether the Centre’s mission, purposes and objectives – and the delivery models it adopted – were consistent with and supported policy objectives aimed at attracting and retaining female scientists and engineers in STEM subjects and careers; second, whether a centre was the most appropriate and effective vehicle for delivering policy objectives aimed at attracting and retaining female scientists and engineers in STEM subjects and careers.