Technology, Gender, & the Digital Divide

1. The Athena Factor

1.1. Harvard Business Review research report

1.2. indicated major cause for female attrition

1.3. lack of mentors/ female role models

1.4. private-sector SET jobs

1.5. isolation = less commitment

2. Changing Stereotypes & Ending Unconscious Bias

2.1. supervisors have profound impact

2.2. affects retention

2.3. break down communication barriers

3. Plausible Solutions

3.1. make classroom environments conducive to pursue tech/science careers

3.2. spatial training to build spatial skills

3.3. change existing attitudes & notions

3.4. provide encouragement & inspiration through mentorship

3.5. adequately prepare to meet the demanding needs of tech/science

3.6. end the gender inequality gap by shedding light on bias & workplace discrimination

4. The time is NOW! #Equal opportunities for advancement! #Educate #Encourage #Inspire

5. STEM

5.1. many women drop out of STEM even after studying tech & science

5.2. low enrollment rates for women in all but the life sciences

5.3. high dropout rates after higher edu: almost 1/3 of women in science lose potential contributions & investment in schooling

5.3.1. women only hold a quarter of IT related jobs

5.3.2. events like Microsoft's Imagine Cup can encourage involvement & participation

5.3.3. attract new generation

6. Computer Science

6.1. over last 2 decades seen a mass exodus of women in computer science

6.1.1. Report by NCWIT the % of computer related jobs has declined steadily

6.1.2. with a high of 36% in 1991, to just above 25% in 2008

6.1.3. perception of lack of jobs / perception of outsourcing / stereotypes; "nerdy","geeky"

6.2. Dr. Catherine Ashcraft explained reasons for the decline

7. Why are women fleeing the fields of Tech/Science @ an unprecedented rate??

7.1. Report by the National Center for 
Women & Information Technology

7.1.1. 2 key factors

7.1.2. isolation & work/life balance