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How do some institutions attract so many female computer scientists?
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It's no secret that computer science is a heavily male-dominated discipline. It's so male-dominated that some people have given up trying to attract more women. Yet Carnegie Mellon not only has close to 50% women in their undergraduate CS classes, they have lots of female faculty. Why?
I'm especially interested in answers from female computer scientists at CMU. I'm also interested in what any other institution that's been successful at achieving something resembling gender parity has done as well.
computer-science gender
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
It's no secret that computer science is a heavily male-dominated discipline. It's so male-dominated that some people have given up trying to attract more women. Yet Carnegie Mellon not only has close to 50% women in their undergraduate CS classes, they have lots of female faculty. Why?
I'm especially interested in answers from female computer scientists at CMU. I'm also interested in what any other institution that's been successful at achieving something resembling gender parity has done as well.
computer-science gender
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
1
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
1
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
1
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
It's no secret that computer science is a heavily male-dominated discipline. It's so male-dominated that some people have given up trying to attract more women. Yet Carnegie Mellon not only has close to 50% women in their undergraduate CS classes, they have lots of female faculty. Why?
I'm especially interested in answers from female computer scientists at CMU. I'm also interested in what any other institution that's been successful at achieving something resembling gender parity has done as well.
computer-science gender
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
It's no secret that computer science is a heavily male-dominated discipline. It's so male-dominated that some people have given up trying to attract more women. Yet Carnegie Mellon not only has close to 50% women in their undergraduate CS classes, they have lots of female faculty. Why?
I'm especially interested in answers from female computer scientists at CMU. I'm also interested in what any other institution that's been successful at achieving something resembling gender parity has done as well.
computer-science gender
computer-science gender
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
edited 6 mins ago
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
asked 55 mins ago
Allure
20k1265110
20k1265110
1
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
1
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
1
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
1
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
1
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
1
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago
1
1
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
1
1
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
1
1
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
We are a smaller German University of Applied Science and most of our courses have a certain application field in addition to CS (usually about 70% CS, 30% application related). The application fields "media" and "medicine" seem to motivate many female students to start studying, even if they later decide to work in the automotive industry or somewhere else.
Furthermore, our university strongly invests in diversity actions, we are trying not to discriminate anyone, and we are trying to promote female students e.g. as student co-workers (which is not hard, since we are usually looking for the best, and most times we are having more female top students then male ones). But for the younger female students it is good to see, that others succeeded or are very successful.
Once you crossed the 30% mark, the feeling is that it's not "special" or "strange" if you are female.
One point where we have to improve is the number of female faculty members, but this takes time.
But still, motivating more students to study CS is a high priority!
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
We are a smaller German University of Applied Science and most of our courses have a certain application field in addition to CS (usually about 70% CS, 30% application related). The application fields "media" and "medicine" seem to motivate many female students to start studying, even if they later decide to work in the automotive industry or somewhere else.
Furthermore, our university strongly invests in diversity actions, we are trying not to discriminate anyone, and we are trying to promote female students e.g. as student co-workers (which is not hard, since we are usually looking for the best, and most times we are having more female top students then male ones). But for the younger female students it is good to see, that others succeeded or are very successful.
Once you crossed the 30% mark, the feeling is that it's not "special" or "strange" if you are female.
One point where we have to improve is the number of female faculty members, but this takes time.
But still, motivating more students to study CS is a high priority!
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
We are a smaller German University of Applied Science and most of our courses have a certain application field in addition to CS (usually about 70% CS, 30% application related). The application fields "media" and "medicine" seem to motivate many female students to start studying, even if they later decide to work in the automotive industry or somewhere else.
Furthermore, our university strongly invests in diversity actions, we are trying not to discriminate anyone, and we are trying to promote female students e.g. as student co-workers (which is not hard, since we are usually looking for the best, and most times we are having more female top students then male ones). But for the younger female students it is good to see, that others succeeded or are very successful.
Once you crossed the 30% mark, the feeling is that it's not "special" or "strange" if you are female.
One point where we have to improve is the number of female faculty members, but this takes time.
But still, motivating more students to study CS is a high priority!
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
We are a smaller German University of Applied Science and most of our courses have a certain application field in addition to CS (usually about 70% CS, 30% application related). The application fields "media" and "medicine" seem to motivate many female students to start studying, even if they later decide to work in the automotive industry or somewhere else.
Furthermore, our university strongly invests in diversity actions, we are trying not to discriminate anyone, and we are trying to promote female students e.g. as student co-workers (which is not hard, since we are usually looking for the best, and most times we are having more female top students then male ones). But for the younger female students it is good to see, that others succeeded or are very successful.
Once you crossed the 30% mark, the feeling is that it's not "special" or "strange" if you are female.
One point where we have to improve is the number of female faculty members, but this takes time.
But still, motivating more students to study CS is a high priority!
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
We are a smaller German University of Applied Science and most of our courses have a certain application field in addition to CS (usually about 70% CS, 30% application related). The application fields "media" and "medicine" seem to motivate many female students to start studying, even if they later decide to work in the automotive industry or somewhere else.
Furthermore, our university strongly invests in diversity actions, we are trying not to discriminate anyone, and we are trying to promote female students e.g. as student co-workers (which is not hard, since we are usually looking for the best, and most times we are having more female top students then male ones). But for the younger female students it is good to see, that others succeeded or are very successful.
Once you crossed the 30% mark, the feeling is that it's not "special" or "strange" if you are female.
One point where we have to improve is the number of female faculty members, but this takes time.
But still, motivating more students to study CS is a high priority!
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
edited 15 mins ago
user2768
7,49912438
7,49912438
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
answered 17 mins ago
OBu
8,12922041
8,12922041
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
Thanks for the answer (I +1'ed). Question: what's a student co-worker?
– Allure
5 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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1
even though there are already close votes and downvotes: I like the question because it not only affects CS, but the whole STEM field. Any ideas to bring more diversity in our disciplines are highly appreciated (even though the question is highly specific whilst targeting at CMU - we are having 30-50% as well in our CS classes (master and bachelor). But I would like to see best practices at other institutions!
– OBu
31 mins ago
@OBu what institution are you at and how did your institution achieve this 30-50% rate?
– Allure
28 mins ago
Is their location a factor?
– Solar Mike
24 mins ago
1
I ansered as answer because the comment field is not long enough - I hope it's ok...
– OBu
17 mins ago
1
@JalapenoNachos - yes, we are having the reverse issue e.g. in our fashion and textile classes - and they are struggeling finding more male students! I would assume, in general, diversity increases success.
– OBu
15 mins ago