DIREC TALKS: How can we encourage more women to study computer science
Women are widely underrepresented in Computer Science. We will consider why this is a problem from a societal, institutional, and individual level.
The mix of students in digital technology is low in diversity (e.g. female students). This is a problem on a societal level which also impacts the study environment.
The partners have already implemented a range of initiatives to address the problem. ITU has several initiatives targeting both recruitment, onboarding, and retention of female students. In the project “Øget diversitet på de teknisk-naturvidenskabelige it-uddannelser” lead by It-vest, the three universities AU, AAU, and SDU are collaborating to implement new initiatives.
Project period: 2021-2023
Budget: DKK 7,5 million
Research problems and aims
Establish inclusive teaching/learning activities that support diversity; e.g., by supporting recruitment, onboarding, and retention of female students. The initiatives will take inspiration from established programs (e.g., Boot-IT & IT-Camp at ITU, Open Innovation X, HealthTech), but – as a unique element – favor scenarios and domains with a stronger appeal to women as well as emphasize inclusion, interaction, and collaboration over competition.
Value creation
Increase the diversity of students in the educational programmes.
Women are widely underrepresented in Computer Science. We will consider why this is a problem from a societal, institutional, and individual level.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
IT University of Copenhagen
Department of Computer Science
E: brabrand.itu.dk
IT University of Copenhagen
Department of Computer Science
University of Southern Denmark
The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute