(INGENIC) Focusing on Gender Equality in Computing

(INGENIC) Focusing on Gender Equality in Computing The Irish Network for Gender Equality in Computing (INGENIC) held its 3rd meeting in DCU on Friday 11th January. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Monica Ward from the School of Computing. The group is composed of interested academic members of national third level organisations. Their main aims are to:

• Help increase the enrolment of females on third level computing programmes.

• Improve on the experience of female students within computing programmes.

• Identify and develop supports for staff development in line with national and international recommendations for improving gender diversity and equality.

• Support collaborative approaches to address their aims.

Three guest speakers gave extremely interesting talks. Sandra Healy, DCU's Head of Diversity and Inclusion, gave an insightful presentation on the Athena Swan process. Jennifer Ryan (IDA) informed the group about the IDA's work on gathering information on females in STEM initiatives across different sectors: primary school, secondary school, third level, working and returners. Joe English (Professional Development Service for Teachers - PDST) gave an overview of the roll-out of the new Leaving Cert Computer Science curriculum and the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) they have delivered to teachers. Overall, the meeting was very productive and members will continue to work on collaborative initiatives focusing on increasing gender equality in computing and relevant projects in the female in computing domain.

For more information contact monica.ward@dcu.ie