This is one of the most important general science venue for a growing segment of scientists and engineers who are interested in the latest advances as well as multidisciplinary topics and the influence of science and technology on how we live today.

A look back at some women who have made strides in technology this year - from taking top positions at companies, to encouraging other women to adopt a career in the field - and salute Marissa Mayer, Sheryl Sandberg, Virginia Rometty, Neelie Kroes and Louise Phelan.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and sponsor Bank of America are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing, which recognizes high school girls for their aspirations and achievements in computing and technology.

The European Commission has today adopted seven new priorities for the digital economy and society. The digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy, but this potential is currently held back by a patchy pan-European policy framework. Today's priorities follow a comprehensive policy review and place new emphasis on the most transformative elements of the original 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe.

Helen Heggie was presented with the WISE Advisor award by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at a prestigious awards ceremony on 29 November at the Institution of Technology and Engineering. The award celebrates those in education who inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM subjects, and in this case recognises a STEMNET Contract Holder's work in forging links between employers and schools. Helen set up STEMFirst Ltd, which holds the STEMNET sub-regional contract for Lancashire, when she found it difficult to re-enter the STEM workforce after having a family due to the shortage of part-time senior roles to fit around working mothers. Based in Blackburn, the successful company now provides opportunities that inspire, excite, and grow the STEM knowledge and understanding of young people.

Technology and creative professionals who include "make more money" on their New Year's resolution list may achieve their goal next year: According to the recently released 2013 Salary Guides from Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group, a number of positions in the information technology (IT) and creative fields are likely to see above-average salary gains in the coming year. The increase in compensation levels is due to high demand for these professionals as organizations enhance their digital presence and boost investments in IT infrastructure.

It comes as no surprise that Google, Facebook, Twitter and a host of digital ad-tech and data firms are hiring data scientists. But as consumer data proliferates, companies including Unilever, General Mills and Wyndham are also recruiting people with mathematics, economics, statistics and computer-science degrees to wrangle a growing flood of consumer data.

The NCWIT Summit on Women and IT: Practices and Ideas to Revolutionize Computing is the pre-eminent destination for learning about leading-edge research on curriculum, outreach, recruitment, retention, and advocacy efforts across the entire CS and IT pipeline. This annual event brings together leaders, change agents, and stakeholders to focus on research-driven practices that strengthen the computing workforce and promote technology innovation by increasing the participation of girls and women. The NCWIT 2013 Summit will take place May 20-22 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Do you want to create your own vision of how the world will look like in 2050? Would you like to read other people's visions and vote on how desirable and likely they are to happen? Do you want to develop ideas for policies that underpin these visions? Or you like to support an idea and vote its probable impact. Would you want to link scientific evidence to your visions and policy ideas and announce events? Then you can join Futurium to animate debates on fascinating futures. Futurium is the European Commission's online laboratory where you can develop visions and ideas for future European policies. Futurium is based on open technologies and open data. Anyone can access the content and vote on visions and policy ideas. Registration is only required to create content and to post comments.