OLAY And Coursera Launch Cosmetic Science Specialisation To Bridge Gender Gap In STEM

Skincare brand, OLAY has announced the launch of a new specialisation on Coursera, a global online learning platform. The Introduction to Cosmetic Science and Ingredients is OLAY’s first Specialisation on the platform and is designed to educate learners on skin care fundamentals and encourage more learners, especially women and women of color, to enter the cosmetic science field.    

Coursera’s partnership with OLAY comes at an important time for careers in STEM. As of 2023, women’s representation remains low, comprising just over one quarter of the overall STEM workforce. The new cosmetic science Specialisation is the first of a series of STEM Specialisations from OLAY that reflect OLAY’s commitment to doubling the number of women in STEM and tripling the number of women of color in STEM by 2030. 

OLAY and Coursera will provide $2 million in scholarships over three years for the course to anyone interested in cosmetic science. From 2024 – 2026, 5,000 recipients will receive a one-year subscription to Coursera Plus, which also includes more than 6,900 courses, as well as entry-level Professional Certificates and hands-on projects that teach job-relevant business, technology, and data science skills. Women and women of color are encouraged to apply.   

The new specialisation is taught by OLAY’s in-house cosmetic scientists, including Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, who has an extensive background in researching emerging skin and hair science. With a deep understanding of women’s skin and hair needs, Dr. Wilkerson’s work has been used to improve the formulas of Procter & Gamble’s most popular cosmetic products. 

“OLAY is committed to positively impacting the STEM pipeline and supporting all women in STEM. This is why we are excited to collaborate with Coursera to put STEM education within reach for both current and aspiring STEM learners,” said Dr. Wilkerson. “Whether you are a skin care enthusiast or someone considering cosmetic science as a career, anyone, anywhere can now learn the basics of skin care from OLAY scientists with the new ‘Introduction to Cosmetic Science and Ingredients’ course.”