How To Get More Women To Conferences Like This

Talks

Sarah Brookfield

1 talk

#community-engagement

How To Get More Women To Conferences Like This

by Sarah Brookfield

In her presentation at the LoneStarRuby Conf 2009, Sarah Brookfield discusses strategies to increase the participation of women at tech conferences. Drawing on her background in computer science and women's studies, Brookfield addresses prevalent issues such as 'imposter syndrome' and the 'pipeline problem' that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in technology fields.

Key Points:

- Imposter Syndrome: Brookfield explains that many women attending conferences may feel like imposters, doubting their knowledge and capabilities. This feeling can discourage them from participating fully. She highlights that naming and recognizing this syndrome can empower individuals to overcome these feelings.

- Classroom Experiences: She shares a personal anecdote from her undergraduate experience, describing her interactions with a dominant male classmate, which illustrates how labeling intimidating behavior as the 'voice of unquestionable authority' can help women manage their feelings of inadequacy.

- Creating an Inclusive Environment: Brookfield emphasizes that fostering a welcoming atmosphere is crucial. Presenters should avoid objectifying content and instead focus on addressing real issues that resonate with attendees.

- The Pipeline Problem: Brookfield discusses how decisions made as early as age 12 can narrow the number of women interested in math and programming. She outlines how women drop out of technology-related fields through various stages in their education and careers, contributing to their underrepresentation at conferences.

- Advocating for Change: She has been actively involved in mentoring and promoting careers in technology for women over the past 16 years and suggests a 'second pipeline' approach that targets adult women, particularly those in non-developer roles, who can transition into tech with the right support and education.
- Potential of Non-Developers: Brookfield cites her observations of competent women in corporate support roles who can excel in programming if given appropriate training. She also notes points made by another speaker about women's existing roles in data management, showing their relevance to tech.

- Influencing Future Generations: Brookfield concludes by emphasizing the importance of influence on personal connections—specifically, how encouraging daughters and partners can help bring more women into the tech community, acknowledging that many women attend conferences due to the influence of their spouses.

In summary, Brookfield's call to action focuses on dismantling imposter syndrome, addressing the pipeline problem, and actively fostering an inclusive environment for women in technology, ultimately aiming for a long-term increase in female participation at tech conferences.

00:00:15.900 Hi, I'm Sarah Brookfield. I'm one of the volunteers here and I was a person in the back of the room yesterday who expressed my opinion on how to get more women involved. This actually generated a lot of interest and side conversations, so I thought I might do a lightning talk on it.

00:00:20.340 In addition to having a degree in computer science, my undergraduate work included a second major in the study of women and gender. This topic is very near and dear to my heart for reasons beyond just being a woman. There's also the introspective question of why I often feel like the only woman present. I've done a lot of research and have a theory behind it, and I wanted to share two useful terms that can help. I find that when you start naming things, it empowers you to think about them in different ways.

00:00:43.320 The first term is 'imposter syndrome.' One of the theories on why women are often underrepresented at conferences like this is that they feel like imposters. To give you an example, if you’ve ever raised your hand when someone asked a question, you might have experienced a moment of doubt—maybe thinking, 'Well, I started learning this, but I haven’t mastered it,' or 'I got lost on the last few slides.' This feeling is something that many individuals who are underrepresented experience, and they often assume that their feelings of inadequacy are unique to them.

00:01:06.600 Let me illustrate this with a story from my undergraduate experience. In my first few programming classes, there was always that one guy in the front row who would ask really obnoxious, challenging questions. Luckily, I was able to identify this behavior for what it was and label it the 'voice of unquestionable authority.' Once you name it, you can dismiss its intimidation. Interestingly, two years later, I found myself lobbying and grading for a class that this same person was attending, and it turns out he didn’t have much to offer either. It took me a while to realize that names provide a sense of clarity.

00:01:50.880 Now, the question arises: What can we do about this? I firmly believe that the issue is not about blame; it’s about creating an environment that doesn’t contribute to imposter syndrome. For example, if you find that your presentations include objectification, like using images of bikini-clad women, that can indeed contribute to feeling unwelcome, though I hope none of you are doing that. Instead, focus on bringing real issues and problems to discussions because acknowledging challenges shows humility and may lead to constructive solutions.

00:02:41.280 Additionally, it’s important to be welcoming and kind. If someone doesn’t understand something, be patient in explaining it. However, there is a pivotal challenge in creating an inclusivity that requires participation. If not enough people show up, we can’t facilitate that welcoming atmosphere. This brings me to my second concept: the pipeline problem.

00:03:09.300 The pipeline problem refers to the series of decisions that lead individuals to conferences like this. Starting with a balanced population, by age 12, girls deciding they don’t like math can drastically reduce that number. As one progresses through education, for instance, deciding not to take calculus can cut it down further. This funnel continues narrowing as people drop out of programming classes because they feel overwhelmed or out of place, leading to a final small representation in higher-level discussions. Consequently, many feel pressured and don’t realize that such feelings are common.

00:03:52.260 Over the years, we've actively tried to address the pipeline problem. Personally, I’ve been advocating for change for about 16 years, mentoring and encouraging young women and communicating the excitement of careers in technology. Despite these efforts, it often feels like progress is slow or stagnant. I believe we need to explore what I call a 'second pipeline', focusing on adults, particularly women who are figuring out their career paths. Many of these women, including librarians, possess analytical skills and methodologies that can translate well into tech roles, such as programming, if given the right encouragement and education.

00:04:49.740 For instance, in my experience at a large corporation, I've seen a surge of capable women in support and other non-developer roles who have the potential to transition into software development. By providing introductory classes and showcasing the possibilities in programming, we might not only engage those who are already interested but help them realize that they can indeed be programmers. Dana's presentation highlighted that many women are already involved in wrangling data for various reports, which illustrates the possibility of tapping into this demographic and demonstrating that they have the skills needed to enter our field.

00:06:34.680 I'll leave you with my concluding point, which I made during a discussion at the back of the room. The individuals on whom you can have the most influence are your daughters and possibly your wives. Many of us started as programmers but are now here thanks to our spouses. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that numerous women arrive at these events because they were brought along by their husbands or partners.

00:07:05.460 Thank you all for listening.

LoneStarRuby Conf 2009