The gender gap in web design and web development starts very early, often in grade school. As a new school year begins, three London organizations invite Londoners to attend an inspiring event that will help our community discuss and examine what we can do to improve the gender balance throughout the technology field.
On September 13, the London, Ontario chapters of Ladies Learning Code and Ladies that UX and London Public Library present a screening of the documentary CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap and a panel discussion. This film exposes the dearth of female and minority software engineers and explores the reasons for this gender gap. CODE raises the questions: what would society gain from having more women and minorities code and how do we get there? CODE was an official selection at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.
Professor Claude Steele says it takes about a generation to change a stereotype. As director of CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap, I hope to inspire our audience to begin that change. Change in the way our school system values computer science education; change in the way we think of a programmer; change in the way women and people of color view themselves in the tech field.
Robin Hauser Reynolds
Director/Producer, CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap
To bring the community together in a social way before the film, Ladies that UX, London, Ontario and Ladies Learning Code, London invite Londoners to join them for a Mega Meetup. Get together and enjoy refreshments with those working in, supporting or interested in the UX, Design, Code and STREAM fields. Space is limited for the Meetup so those interested should register in advance. No registration is required for the film and discussion part of the evening.
CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap
Tuesday, September 13,
Central Library, 251 Dundas Street, London
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
7 – 9:30 pm
Wolf Performance Hall
Free. No registration required.
Note: film includes occasional coarse language.
Mega Meetup Before the Film
6 – 7 pm
Free. Register in advance: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/london-pre-film-mega-meetup-
codedebugging-the-gender-gap-panel-discussion-tickets-27263405580
ABOUT THE FILM
Tech jobs are growing three times faster than American colleges are producing computer science graduates. By 2020, there will be one million unfilled software engineering jobs in the USA. Through compelling interviews, artistic animation and clever flashpoints in popular culture, CODE documentary examines the reasons why more girls and people of color are not seeking opportunities in computer science and explores how cultural mindsets, stereotypes, educational hurdles and sexism all play roles in this national crisis.
Expert voices from the worlds of tech, psychology, science, and education are intercut with inspiring stories of women who are engaged in the fight to challenge complacency in the tech industry and have their voices heard. CODE aims to inspire change in mindsets, in the educational system, in startup culture and in the way women see themselves in the field of coding.
http://www.codedocumentary.com/
LADIES LEARNING CODE
Ladies Learning Code are a not-for-profit organization with chapters across Canada and the mission to be the leading resource for women and youth to become passionate builders – not just consumers – of technology by learning technical skills in a hands-on, social, and collaborative way. Initiatives include thriving youth programs called Girls Learning Code and Kids Learning Code, Canada’s first travelling computer lab — the code: mobile. Ladies Learning Code are a major force shaping digital literacy education in Canada.
http://ladieslearningcode.com/
LADIES THAT UX
Ladies that UX is a monthly meet up that creates a welcoming, transparent community of women that work in or are interested in UX, who positively promote and teach each other. Male allies are always welcome.
http://www.meetup.com/ladies-that-ux-london-ontario/
LONDON PUBLIC LIBRARY
London Public Library strengthens people and neighbourhoods by creating connections that enrich lives, inspire discovery, foster creativity, and expand possibilities. Through programs and resources, London Public Library has always connected Londoners to ideas, information and knowledge and supported lifelong learning and literacy in its many forms. Today, London Public Library is designing new, innovative and exciting services to facilitate learning and engagement in our community and provides digital literacy support and introductory classes for those new to computers.
