On Thursday 1st May, the School of Computer Science and Statistics (SCSS) hosted a special event to mark International Girls in ICT Day. The event welcomed secondary school students alongside our own SCSS students, with the aim of showcasing the diversity within computer science and challenging the stereotypes that often discourage girls from engaging with the discipline.
At SCSS, we believe it is essential for young women to see themselves represented in computer science – not only in the work being done, but in the people doing it. This event provided a platform for students to hear from women at various stages of their academic and professional journeys, and to explore the many pathways available in computing.
We were honoured to be joined by an exceptional line-up of speakers: Prof. Rachel McDonnell, Dr. Mélanie Bouroche, Dr. Abeba Birhane, Rebecca McManus from Amethyst Care, Eloise de Carvalho from Google and Gift Maseno from Bank of America. Each speaker generously shared their work and personal experiences, helping to demystify the field and inspire confidence in the students attending.
We extend our sincere thanks to our Head of School, Prof. Gregory O’Hare, for opening the event and encouraging students to recognise the value of their voices in shaping the future of computer science.
The afternoon was expertly hosted by Caoilfhionn Ní Dheoráin, who brought a warm, inclusive energy that set the tone for an open and engaging conversation throughout.
We were also pleased to feature a student panel comprising of Esly, Emma Murphy and Olivia Mohan, who spoke candidly about their decision to study computer science and what life is like as a computer science student. Their reflections helped bridge the gap between aspiration and reality for many of the secondary school students in the room.
The level of engagement from attendees was exceptional. The students asked thoughtful and wide-ranging questions, demonstrating both curiosity and confidence – a clear sign of their potential and readiness to explore what computer science has to offer.
Events such as this are an important part of our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in STEM. It is vital that girls are given the opportunity to imagine their future in technology – and are supported in making it a reality.