Researchers have found that many women are their own worst enemies when it comes to beating gender bias in technology careers.
The so-called ‘imposter phenomenon’, ‘queen bee syndrome’ and a condition known as ‘leaky pipeline’ create a vicious circle in which girls and women damage their own chances of success in this prestigious and highly paid industry. Interviewed on the PassW0rd:Woman radio show on Resonance FM, Dr Teresa (Terri) Simpkin explained:”These women find it hard to internalise their own success in the technology industry…they think someone’s going to tap them on the shoulder and say that they should not have got the job, it was all a mistake.
Girly girls
Based on more than five hundred interviews with women in technology industries in the UK, Australia and Canada, Simpkin’s research at the Anglia Ruskin University includes an interview with a Canadian sound engineer who believes she never got promoted because she wears brightly coloured skirts and bows in her hair. “I’m too much of a girly girl” she fears.
Statistical research by the Women’s Engineering Society finds nearly 100,000 female graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths are unemployed or economically inactive.
One by one women are working together to change this narrative. To provide some insight, Helen Baker British QA Director sat down to talk with a PassWord reporter about her experience working in the technology industry. Being a woman is one of many strengths which has seen her surpass entry levels to be placed in a senior position in a career with an all-male peer group.
W.O.W Festival
Women have long found sanctuary from misogynistic workplace ideologies at the Southbank Centre which has been home to the Women of the World Festival for the past seven years founded by Artistic Director Jude Kelly.
The week-long festival sees women from all different ages, race and backgrounds, from the ‘girly girls” to the ‘butch’ gather to discuss and share their experiences as women in society. Living in a hyper-connected culture it is no surprise that women and technology is a focal point of conversation in March 2017.
The ‘Violet Nights: Miss Representation’ segment discusses how women are no longer relying on traditional media for an accurate portrayal of their experiences. Films, TV and music videos often depict women as less dominant or powerless. It seems we are in a new age ‘tech bubble’ where instead of consuming media women now use social media to ‘prosume’ – a term coined by Alvin Toffler, the American futurist and technology writer.
It’s an environment where women produce their own representation of themselves therefore shifting the power balance. Wikipedia is popularly being used as a platform for women-led research teams to share historical female accomplishments thus starting a new rhetoric of empowerment.
Dr. Sue Black OBE, UK government advisor and digital skills expert is a living testament to how technology will make you powerful. Sharing her knowledge to help a demographic close to her heart she founded #Techmums in 2012. Her workshops are designed to empower women using technology, helping women regain confidence by teaching new practical skills and knowledge.
The #Techmum team at WOW festival were made up of volunteers, all successful in their careers ranging from healthcare to the public sector willing to assist Dr.Black for the day where she taught about python coding and mobile app development. After a successful session Dr. Sue Black sat down for a one-to-one interview which you can listen to in the following podcast:
#Techmums
