ACM-W Europe Newsletter

December 2015

First FRIEND of ACM-WE: IE WIRE

ACM-W Europe is now partners with IE-WIRE, Informatics Europe's Women in Informatics Research and Education Working Group. Going forward the two entities will endorse, promote and participate in each other's events, and collaborate on projects related to women in computing. We are very excited about our new friends, and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership!

Save the Date: womENcourage 2016 Celebration of Women in Computing, 12-13 September 2016

Kepler

Ten months from now we will be celebrating at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria. womENcourage 2016 dates have been announced. On September 12 a lively Career Fair will kick off the celebration, and on the 13th we will have a celebration keynotes, panels, and a poster session. More information will be coming after the first of the year.

Apply to Attend the Heidelberg Forum

heidelberg

The Heidelberg Laureate Forum was created by the Klaus Tschira Foundation, the Heidelberg Institute of Theoretical Studies, ACM, and Letters to provide an opportunity for young researchers to spend a week with winners of the Turing Award, Abel Prize, Nevanlinna Prize, and Fields Medal. To date three forums have been held (2013, 2014, and 2015), and all have been viewed as a major success by the 40 laureates and 200 young researchers in computer science and mathematics who attended each forum. Details can be found at http://www.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org/.

The Fourth Heidelberg Laureate Forum will be held 18-23 September 2016. To be considered for the Heidelberg Forum, young researchers can either apply directly to the International Mathematical Union, and the Norwegian Academy of Science (www.application.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org) or be nominated by a colleague (or professor, mentor or manager) who can attest to the quality of their work. Nominations will likely carry a bit more weight within the selection process and can be made at https://application.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org/intern/reg_nom_registration_for.php but require ACM-specific credentials. If you or a colleague would like to make a nomination, the ACM Organization Number is ACM72967. Applications and nominations must be completed by February 3, 2016.

News around the world

Research Data Science Summer School, Trieste, Italy, 1-12 August 2016

Apply now to attend the Research Data Science Summer School in Trieste, Italy, 1-12 August 2016 by April 18 (CODATA-RDA). Students will learn software carpentry, data carpentry, digital curation and stewardship skills, and more. Apply here.

Edinburgh University Celebrates 10th Anniversary of "Hoppers" Women in Computing Group

hoppers2

On December 5th, the Edinburgh University "Hoppers" group held a celebration of its 10th anniversary. Established in September 2005 to provide a peer-support network for female students in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, the group is entirely run by the students, for the students. Over the years Hoppers has created a sense of community, particularly among the undergraduate women in Informatics, who represent approximately 17% of the total cohort. The ultimate goal is to cultivate an open community with the aim to provide a supportive and inclusive society where people are comfortable and build both technical and networking skills to thrive in the tech environment.

Despite the wild and windy weather, approximately 50 participates joined the celebrations on 5th December. The event brought together old and new hoppers, undergrads, postgrads, staff and alumnae, including presidents spanning the past 10 years. Role models have always played an important part in Hoppers activities, and this event was no exception. The afternoon started with a series of short talks from researchers and alumnae. Guest speaker Katia Shutova--a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Cambridge--discussed her research in natural language processing. Jane Hillston, from the School of Informatics, discussed her path to computer science and the female role models who supported and influenced her. Further activities in the afternoon included a panel session, with topics including how to widen the pipeline to get more female students into the discipline and how to overcome the “guild” mentality.

Like all Hopper events, this was run by the students, for the students, with minimal support from the staff in the School of Informatics. The value that they derive from the group is evident from the fact that it has kept going for over ten years. Given the enthusiasm and passion of the current female cohort, it will keep going for at least another 10 years.

Any Android fans out there?

Then Droidcon might just be the place for you to be. Moscow, London, Paris, Krakow — many possibilities and great possibility to join. Intel is sponsoring tickets and travel costs to a Droidcon of your choice up to a value of Euro 330,-- for female attendees. Interested? Then find out details and apply now: https://droidcon.de/femalesponsorship

First FRIEND of ACM-WE: IE WIRE
Save the Date: womENcourage 2016 Celebration of Women in Computing, 12-13 September 2016
Apply to Attend the Heidelberg Forum
Research Data Science Summer School, Trieste Italy 1-12 August 2016
Edinburgh University Celebrates 10th Anniversary of “Hoppers” Women in Computing Group
Any Android fans out there?