A number of executive search firms have signed up to a voluntary code of conduct, pledging to improve senior female representation on FTSE 350 boards. The group has set seven principles on the best practice of boardroom appointments, including creating diversity goals and balancing experience with skills to extend the pool of candidates. Long lists should also be made up of 30 per cent female candidates or explain why they do not.

The 2nd Annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing India (GHCI) will take place from December 14-16, 2011 at the KTPO Trade Centre, Bangalore, India. The annual conference, presented by the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, is the world’s largest gathering of women in computing. It is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. Leading researchers present their current work, while special sessions focus on the role of women in today’s technology fields, including computer science, information technology, research and engineering. This year’s theme "What Next…?" recognizes that innovation in technology arises from the question what comes next in the evolution of technology and the culture of technology.

The SiS Brokerage Event, organised by SiS.net in cooperation with the European Commission, will take place on 7th of October 2011 at the Management Centre for Europe, Brussels. The main objective of the event is to provide first-hand information by the European Commission officials about the FP7 SiS 2012 Call for proposals, launched on the 20th July 2011, and to bring all stakeholders together (universities, research institutions, civil society organisations, SMEs, public bodies, science centres etc.), in order to meet potential coordinators and partners in a fruitful networking environment. For more information visit the event’s web page.

Professor Sapna Cheryan and her students from University of Washington developed Debunking Stereotypes, a workshop for schools and companies designed to boost women’s and girl’s interest in computer science and engineering by combatting stereotypes. Workshop attendees learn how stereotypes can deter students’ interest in computer science and engineering and are given tools and strategies to change these stereotypes in their own communities and institutions.
SIBL's Debunking Stereotypes Brochure: teacher/administrator version, student version

In their April 20th, 2011 edition, the university’s newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University reported that a record number of female students are choosing to major in computer science, with numbers reaching as high as 41% female. Harvard students seem to have overcome the stereotype that women "just aren’t cut out for the major." What could be contributing to these changes?

The famous Barbie doll is now portrayed as a Computer Engineer. The career was selected for Barbie by fans. Many people are thrilled that Barbie’s new career might inspire more girls to pursue computer and technology fields, which are typically dominated by men. In fact, women are far outnumbered by men in computer engineering and their participation has only declined recently. If Barbie acts as a role model for girls, she might get more girls interested in these fields. Ad

Research that is being done to explore the reasons why girls and women are less attracted to technical fields than men is resulting in interesting findings about the impact of stereotypes on girls and women’s interest and performance in technical disciplines.

Each month Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology asks Senior Technical Women to share their stories and what they have learned. This issue’s Senior Technical Woman Profile features Susanne Hambrusch, Division Director, CCF/CISE, NSF.

There has been no progress made in the mission to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has said. A survey by the organisation found that the number of women in engineering jobs has stayed almost the same since 2008, at six per cent of the total engineering industry, compared to five per cent four years ago.

Simultaneously with the first calls of the Work Programme 2012, the European Commission is launching a new contest to reward women innovators who have achieved outstanding innovations and brought them to market. The EU Prize for Women Innovators aims to raise public awareness of the need for more innovation and more women entrepreneurs.