SCEBE events for Ada Scotland 2024 reflect the findings of our ongoing research into SCEBE students’ experience of gender imbalance.

In 2022 and 2023 we asked SCEBE students whether they thought that gender and gender imbalance had an impact on their experience of their course. We asked them for suggestions to make gender-imbalanced courses more attractive to women and then followed up, in early 2024, with focus groups.

Most students surveyed felt that their gender didn’t impact their experience and nor did gender imbalance. However, responses varied according to gender, with nearly half of female students feeling that gender imbalance had at least some impact and most non-binary students saying it had an impact. Our focus groups revealed that genders were more balanced on some courses than others, but women on courses with very few women could feel a little isolated. Suggestions for improving the situation included increasing the number of women around (e.g. through female guest lecturers and industry visitors), promoting careers focusing on both the day-to-day work and potential benefits to society, and organising events and networks to bring women and gender minority students together and share their experiences.

ENUSEC CyberQuest: Capture the Flag 2024

1^st to 11^th October

Our security society, ENUSEC, are hosting a ctf for school, college, and uni students throughout the festival, from, with prizes for the winning teams.

Equate Scotland & Napier STEM present: Careers Event – Gender Minorities in STEM

Wednesday 2^nd October, 2-4pm, Merchiston E14.

Napier STEM society are organising a careers event for women and gender minority students, and their allies, with speakers talking about their careers in everything from data science to construction. With tea, coffee and cake, sponsored by Data Skills Gateway. Please register.

SCEBE (Edinburgh Napier) and Equate Scotland present: Building networks for inclusion

Wednesday 9^th October, 3-5pm, Merchiston E14.

Collaboration between SCEBE and Equate Scotland, bringing together staff and students involved in networks, societies and events to celebrate and support underrepresented groups in STEM, such as women studying computing and engineering. Lightning talks, discussion, tea, coffee, cake. All welcome, pleaser register.

More about these events on our Women into Tech blog

More information

If you want to know more about our SCEBE gender imbalance research, please contact Dr Ella Taylor-Smith. Also for queries about any of the events, contact Ella or ENUSEC (for the ctf) or Napier STEM (for the careers event on 2^nd October)