BCSWomen specialist group: About BCSWomen

With 1,300+ members (2012 figures) we offer a range of opportunities, services and support to women working in computing and IT, in related professions and also to students of computing. We have a large and energetic network of members and welcome all women whether in work, in education, on career breaks or retired.

The group was created by Dr Sue Black, in 2001. She was inspired by two events: a conference at which she was the only woman, and by a Women in Science and Engineering ‘Networking the networks’ conference, where she discovered the joys of networking with other women in science and technology. Since this time, BCSWomen has gone from strength to strength with an active and lively group of members and a hardworking committee of volunteers.

Members can take advantage of

• Countrywide events covering a range of themes from technology to self actualisation. In 2010-2011 we held over a dozen face-to-face events, ranging from informal networking, career management sessions, evening comedy, through to full-day technical training sessions
• A women-only online mailing list, which functions a bit like a virtual coffee room: topics of conversation have ranged from ‘bullying in the workplace’ and ‘how get a promotion’ to the ubiquitous technical queries
• Information sharing through the mailing list
• A CV-advice clinic where job applicants can get personal feedback on their CV before applying
• A chance to be involved in broader IT-related event including a Google Garden Party to ‘Save Bletchley Park (2011) and Celebrating
• Alan Turing’s 100th Birthday (2012) as well as celebrations for International Women’s Day and the Ada Lovelace Day activities
• Access to one of the nation’s largest practical training networks
• Access to mentors, through the organisation MentorSET
• Professional networking that works

Additionally, BCSWomen are a campaigning organisation who try to make the IT profession better for all. We do this by lobbying politically, writing articles in the popular and technical press, and by reaching out to young women and girls through events like the BCSWomen Lovelace Colloquium, and by joint participation in the London Hopper Colloquium for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

By joining us, you’ll be strengthening the case for a fairer, more diverse profession.

There are many opportunities to get involved: organising events, writing articles, offering or seeking advice, helping out on the committee and more.

We also recognise that committee work can often be the first stage in the process towards working on boards (and we think that there should be more women on boards).

Come and join us: we welcome women who are interested in getting things done - there’s lots to do!