Gender diversity among leadership teams and the broader workforce offers demonstrated advantages for innovative thinking, job satisfaction, and corporate bottom lines. Yet the percentage of women in computing jobs has actually declined over the last 25 years, and now stands at roughly 25% in both industry and academia.
Causes for this gap remain unclear. Tech companies and other employers have tried offering flexible work hours and generous family leave; some universities allow women to stop the tenure clock to care for young children.
Are such policies sufficient to bring women into parity with men, both in numbers and in pay, or are other nuances hindering full participation of women in the tech workforce? What incentives have inspired those women who have persisted in these fields? And what unique perspectives do women bring to a range of domains that make technology solutions more creative, robust, and equitable?
At this public event, leaders and champions of women in technology will offer their thoughts on challenges to achieving gender diversity at all organizational levels of industry, academia, and the public sector. We will also present the first CITRIS Athena Awards, to honor inspiring women and organizations making outstanding technical contributions and supporting the next generation of women and girls.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
11:30 AM – 6:00 PM PDT
Banatao Auditorium
Sutardja Dai Hall
2594 Hearst Ave
Berkeley, CA 94720
11:30 am
Registration, Lunch
12:00 pm
Welcome: Costas Spanos, Director, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and Steven Weber, Faculty Director, Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity
12:10 pm
Opening Remarks: Christine Gulbranson, Senior Vice President for Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of California Office of the President
12:20 pm
Keynote: “Define your own success and let passion fuel your career” Claire Hough, VP Engineering and Product, Udemy
12:45 pm
Current Trends in Diversity and Data: This panel will focus on the state of the field, including recent studies and data on gender diversity, trends, insights, and opportunities for diversifying technical roles in industry and in academia.
Panelists:
1:30 pm
Leaders & Innovators I: This panel will highlight the accomplishments and experience of several individuals who are technical leaders and innovators in their field.
Panelists:
2:15 pm
Break
2:30 pm
Leaders & Innovators II
Panelists:
3:15 pm
Keynote: “Designing for Diversity: Notes from a Liberal Arts Major” Nicole Wong, former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer
3:45 pm
CITRIS Athena Awards Presentation
4:30 pm
Spark Talks by Student Organizations Promoting Diversity in Tech
4:45 pm
Closing Remarks: Camille Crittenden, Deputy Director, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute
5:00 pm
Reception & Networking Light refreshments will be served
6:00 pm
Adjourn
The symposium will also feature presentations of the EDGE in Tech Initiative Athena Awards, recognizing those who have championed the advancement of women in technology.