Women in the tech sector: access, skills development and policy priorities
Description
Delegates at this timely seminar will discuss next steps for policy -
and businesses and the education system - to further increase
opportunities for women within the tech sector, and improve gender
equality throughout related industries.
They will assess progress so far and best practice, drawing on latest developments in education and skills training.
Sessions
will consider lessons from initiatives in quotas at boardroom and
management levels; the influence of strong female role models in
academic institutions, businesses and through their portrayal in the
media, and latest thinking on how well teaching, school structures and
careers guidance are contributing to inspiring young women throughout
education. Delegates will also discuss how policies such as shared
parental leave can be built upon and how industry cultures can best be
managed to help challenge traditional assumptions about women in the
tech workforce.
This conference will bring together
representatives from the Houses of Parliament with key stakeholders in
technology and telecoms - including in the private and public sectors,
business groups and trade associations, lawyers, charities, educational
institutions at all levels, as well as academics with a particular
interest in these important issues.
We are delighted that at this early stage Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice President EMEA, Facebook; Naomi Climer, President, Institution of Engineering and Technology; Emma McGuigan, Managing Director, UK and Ireland Technology Group, Accenture; Gillian Arnold, Director, Tectre and Chair, BCS Women; Kirsten Bodley, Chief Executive, STEMNET; Emma Cerrone, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Freeformers; Gillian Howard, Employment Lawyer; Rhona Hutchon, Managing Director, Scotland, Harvey Nash and Dr Sarah Peers, Vice President, Women’s Engineering Society have agreed to speak.
Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Culture & the Digital Economy has kindly agreed to chair a session at this seminar.
