Women in Tech: A Practical Guide to Increasing Gender Diversity and Inclusion

by Gillian Arnold (Editor), Gillian Arnold, Hannah Dee, Clem Herman, Sharon Moore

Overview

This guide to tackling the gender imbalance in technology professions offers expertise, initiatives and true stories to support those wishing to bring greater gender diversity into the workplace. It aims to inform regarding background, theory and policy; advise on concrete actions that can be undertaken, and to be an exemplar for companies, organisations, establishments and campaigns in the form of real-world case studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780175614
Publisher:	BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT
Publication date:	07/26/2021
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Editor Gillian Arnold is Managing Director for Tectre, an IT Recruitment and Training company focussed on supporting women in technical roles. She's also chair of the CEPIS Women in ICT Taskforce and past chair of the BCSWomen specialist group.

The authors of this book - Gillian Arnold, Hannah Dee, Clem Herman, Sharon Moore, Andrea Palmer, and Shilpa Shah - are all women in tech, ranging from professors of computer science and gender, to CTO-level practitioners.

Table of Contents

1. The Business Case for Diversity
2. Computing in Schools
3. Women in Higher Education Computing
4. Unconscious Bias
5. Establishing a Programme/Project to Attract and/or Retain Women in Tech
6. Attracting Women into Tech
7. Retaining and Progressing Women Within the Technology Industry
8. Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

‘Women in Tech’ is an important book. The combined authority of its six preeminent authors lends enormous weight to its central argument: levelling up diversity in tech is fundamental to our future. But in also articulating the methods by which that can be achieved, it puts itself at the top of the required reading list. If you’re planning to distribute paperwork at the next leadership meeting, let it be this.

Tech For Good

Every tech leader and every CIO needs to know why diversity brings benefits and how to build an inclusive and successful team. This book tells them what they need to know.

John Higgins

A thorough and insightful guide to the iniquities and challenges facing women in tech, with valuable practical advice for how to effect change. This book should be read by all men in tech – especially those in leadership positions who have the power and responsibility to address the shameful lack of diversity in the industry.

Bryan Glick

WISE believes this book is a positive step forward for gender diversity and looks forward to practically supporting the reader to improve gender balance in their organisation. With WISE Ten Steps™ we have a recommended and practical programme that is proven to be impactful. Together we all can successfully address the challenge and thereby benefit individuals, families, communities and the country.

Kay Hussain

This book is a superb addition to the literature on women in computing in UK. It may be unique in ranging from school through to progression to senior management. It is characterised by the immense strength of its evidence base and the practicality of its recommendations. Chapter 4, on Unconscious Bias, is the pivot: it could sensibly make for compulsory reading for anyone, either male or female, especially for anyone in a decision-making role. The study of allyship in the final chapter is also crucial. I thoroughly recommend the book for anyone involved with computing, regardless of gender.

John Power

Every technology employer should read this book on diversity and inclusivity and apply the concrete actions and practical guidance detailed within it. This is a welcome resource for the cyber security profession as well as the wider tech community.

Don MacIntyre

This book is a very fact-based, well-researched piece of work. It covers everything from today’s position and how we got here, through to the analysis of education, and why the UK differs in its gender imbalance where other countries do not. The book points us to some very good practical steps that could be employed to achieve a more diverse and gender balanced workforce in the IT industry. The evidence points us to look at the longer term and does not try to give short-term ‘sticking plaster’ answers to a very challenging environment, which is not just related to IT but many other industries.

Dawn Wright

'Women in Tech' is a deeply insightful read, bringing together high-quality evidence with an intersectional viewpoint. It delivers a clear action plan for how digital leaders can build diverse teams to deliver lasting change. Hugely recommended.

Tom Read

Superbly written, the authors have combined their vast knowledge and expertise to provide a concise, practical guide with interventions to help anyone looking to support and make progress for women in technology. Well researched with why we are still falling short within schools, universities and in our workplaces, this book is a fantastic resource providing professionals with the practical steps to take action and drive change.

Rav Bumbra

I congratulate BCS and the authors for stepping forward with this publication. It is refreshing to see BCS Publishing collaborate with leading gender diversity and inclusion groups such as WISE, to support the challenges and opportunities in Tech together. Together we can help fill address the D&I imperative and in so doing the digital skills deficit that can open up additional and enhanced opportunities for all.

Trudy Norris-Grey

This book is an inspiration on how to build an e-inclusive world. If we all execute these very concrete actions it is an opportunity to make the real difference and activate all women in the employment market going forward. Let’s just do it!

Saskia Van Uffelen

A must read! Fantastic collaborative narrative and the 'go to place' for anyone working on progressing the ‘Women in Tech’ agenda. The authors have been generous in sharing their knowledge and tips for action based on a wealth of diverse experience. We have been waiting for this and it can be a game-changer.

Lynn O’Connor

BCS have managed to collate a myriad of resources on the subject and produce a guide that not only explains how we are in this situation but also gives us direction on how to make change. An essential resource for anyone working on diversifying their tech workforce.

Anne-Marie Balfour CISM CGEIT

As the title promises, 'Women in Tech' is a highly practical resource and will rapidly become the go to resource for anyone wanting to really move the dial on gender diversity in tech. This is a thorough, data-driven piece which effectively and usefully pulls together a wealth of experience, research and real evidence across the whole of the pipeline. Highly recommended.

Debbie Forster MBE

From a diverse and experienced set of authors, this refreshingly honest and inclusive up to date set of tools will help organisations and leaders consider new and relatable approaches to attracting, growing and retaining talent. The approaches set out are based on experiences and pragmatic forward thinking to create and sustain a happier, healthier, more inclusive and therefore innovative workforce. Crucially, it will help you make a genuine impact on the future talent in your community and your organisation, both now and in the future.

Roxane Heaton

An easily digestible read that doesn’t hide the damning reality for women in tech. YBA believe it is important for everyone to read this book regardless of characteristics such as their age or experience. The authors use a data-backed representation of the current environment with well-explained strategies and practical tips enabling readers to ignite change, make an impact and make it last. This resonated with us at YBA: ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’

Young Business Analysts (YBA)

A must read! Fantastic collaborative narrative and the 'go to place' for anyone working on progressing the ‘Women in Tech’ agenda. The authors have been generous in sharing their knowledge and tips for action based on a wealth of diverse experience. We have been waiting for this and it can be a game-changer.

Lynn O’Connor

As the title promises, Women in Tech is a highly practical resource and will rapidly become the go to resource for anyone wanting to really move the dial on gender diversity in tech. This is a thorough, data-driven piece which effectively and usefully pulls together a wealth of experience, research and real evidence across the whole of the pipeline. Highly recommended. Debbie Forster MBE, CEO, Tech Talent Charter -----

Every tech leader and every CIO needs to know why diversity brings benefits and how to build an inclusive and successful team. This book tells them what they need to know. John Higgins, Chair, Global Digital Foundation and President, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT -------

A must read! Fantastic collaborative narrative and the 'go to place' for anyone working on progressing the 'Women in Tech' agenda. The authors have been generous in sharing their knowledge and tips for action based on a wealth of diverse experience. We have been waiting for this and it can be a game-changer. Lynn O'Connor, MD Inclusive Work Ltd, Co-Founder of iSAW International and Director, DEI at Sage --------

This book is a superb addition to the literature on women in computing in UK. It may be unique in ranging from school through to progression to senior management. It is characterised by the immense strength of its evidence base and the practicality of its recommendations. Chapter 4, on Unconscious Bias, is the pivot: it could sensibly make for compulsory reading for anyone, either male or female, especially for anyone in a decision-making role. The study of allyship in the final chapter is also crucial. I thoroughly recommend the book for anyone involved with computing, regardless of gender. John Power, Honorary Professor, Macquarie University ----------

This book is an inspiration on how to build an e-inclusive world. If we all execute these very concrete actions it is an opportunity to make the real difference an activate all women in the employment market going forward. Let's just do it! Saskia Van Uffelen, Digital Champion of Belgium, Digital Agenda -------

WISE believes this book is a positive step forward for gender diversity and looks forward to practically supporting the reader to improve gender balance in their organisation. With WISE Ten Steps™ we have a recommended and practical programme that is proven to be impactful. Together we all can successfully address the challenge and thereby benefit individuals, families, communities and the country. Kay Hussain, CEO, Women Into Science and Engineering (WISE)

From the Publisher