Week 4 – So do we want more women in tech or not???
Come Again!?
Of the 20+ articles/chapters I read this week (plus podcasts, videos, slides, etc.), one line grabbed my attention the most,
“…women computer science graduates in the United States peaked in the mid-1980s at 37 percent, and we have seen a steady decline in the years since then to 26 percent today.” 2020. “The Power Chapter”, Data Feminism, Catherine D’Ignazio, Lauren F. Klein
When I tried to verify this number (in which the ‘today’ was referencing 2010) the stats were worse – most sources putting it at about 20% or less in computer and data science degrees for the past several years.
Where My Head Went
Control of data/tech = power.
Gender equality in data/tech jobs can’t exceed the gender split of college grads. Therefore, one companies stellar DEI efforts might improve gender split within one organization, but does not change the equation across all organizations.
Why are efforts in this space failing?
(note: I am aware and intentional about the binary of girl/boy at the moment as that’s the majority of available info)
What I’ve Learned So Far
Compared to boys, girls are not engaging in, showing interest in or feeling confidence with tech from very early ages and do not choose tech-related courses.
When girls do choose tech-related courses (and we’ll include math here) and perform as well in those courses (which they do, even better in math), they still don’t choose tech majors.
Girls that choose tech majors are more likely to drop out or switch majors even when performing as well as boys.
This Totally Sucks
Whatever efforts are in place, it’s not moving the needle. At least the big needle. But something must be working somewhere. Where? Should I go find it and spread the love?
My Working Project Questions
- What are the significant mechanisms of encouragement and discouragement for girls in tech-related education?
- What related interventions have been effective and ineffective?
- What are the barriers to implementing effective interventions?
Potential Literature/Fields of Expertise
- Education
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Gender Studies
- Data Science
- Marketing
- Others???
This is really insightful…interesting too given the recent drive (over the last 10 years or so) to introduce more women into the world of tech through digital skills training, work experience programmes and the like. I guess though another question is- what are women choosing over tech? And could this be because data science skills can be accessed through other means? In my mind it this also makes me think about the way that industries are categorised nowadays as interesting in that someone could set up their own enterprise and be considered a ‘business person’ or ‘entrepreneur’ regardless as to whether that business is in tech or otherwise. Or I could take up a role as a software engineer in a bank and still be considered as someone who works in ‘banking and finance’. Thanks for provoking a mini conversation in my mind, love it! 🙂