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Women in Technology: More than just a Pipeline Issue
Presenter and Moderator: Lonney GregoryPanelist: Dr. Paulette FordPanelist: Chanel A. Johnson
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Session Objectives1. Examine the causes
behind the lack of women in STEM fields.
2. Discuss the natural bias that exists in our workforce culture.
3. Explore ways to change workforce bias.
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Three Major Contributing FactorsInternal Organizational factors
Self-inflicted factors
External Societal Factors
“We must raise both the ceiling and the floor.” ― Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
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Lack of women in technology is caused by …. Survey says
1. ATTRITIONA. Hostile workplace cultureB. Isolation C. Work rhythm disconnect – male v femaleD. Extreme working conditionsE. Extensive travel or other work-life balance inequities
The most important factor in determining whether you will succeed isn't your gender - it's you. - Angela Braly
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Lack of women in technology is also caused by …. Survey says2. GENDER INEQUALITY
A. Unconscious biasB. Lack of D&I related organizational dataC. Policies, rules, regulationD. Succession planning
"Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone's responsibility."— Ban Ki-moon
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And unfortunately, the lack of women in technology is also caused by …. Survey says
3. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS (predominately female)
A. Risk aversionB. Failure to self-promoteC. Failure to speak out/upD. Desire to get along E. Consensus build versus
solution build"I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."— Mary Shelley
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And it remains true; a lack of women in technology is caused by …. Survey says4. PIPELINE FAILINGS
A. Education pipelineB. Corporate pipelineC. STEM pipeline
Our Children Cant be allowed to fail
"Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult."— Charlotte Whitton
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The Elephant in the Room• Everyone has unconscious
bias; it’s a result of our cultural heritage, our upbringing, and our experience, things that influence us
Unconscious bias is a part of our brains functioning to keep us safe quickly
Unconscious bias is part of our mind set – it is fast thinking
Most people believe that others are more biased than they are!
The goal is to bring unconscious bias to the conscious level
BAIS
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Explicit, Implicit, and Systemic Bias• Intersectionality – What???
• Gender Inequality• Irrational Thinking (Fast V
Slow) • Sexist Perspective In Systems
and Organizational Constructs
Draft
"Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.“ Susan B. Anthony
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Fast v Slow Thinking Fast Thinking Slow Thinking Mitigation Strategy
“This is too risky” How much risk is there?
“Let’s quantify the risks”
“Who’s fault is this?”
What are the contributing factors?
“Let’s perform causal analysis”
“I don’t need any help”
What would help? “Let’s identify sources of support”
“This isn’t going to work”
What is possible? “Let’s come up with some options”
“That will never happen”
How can we make this happen?
“Lets identify others that have similar experiences”
“S/he can’t cut it” What will be their biggest challenges?
“Let’s work towards ensuring their success”
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Cultural Dig… Get your shovels outWhat artifacts are present in your organizations that are inherently biased or suggest an insensitivity towards gender equality?
Draft
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Organizational Remnants Cultural DigArtifacts and Objects
Stories and Myths
Relationships
Rituals and Rites of Passage
Rights & Privileges
For each of the remnants to the left discuss the following:
– In triads discuss each of the 5 remnants
– Identify the most obvious– Identify the most subtle– Recommend a change– Discuss how the change
negatively impacts the organization or will be met with resistance
– Mitigate impact
Draft
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Let’s change thingsExternal Factors
Venture CapitalEducational Partnerships
Internal and Personal FactorsSystems and ConstructsPractices and RitualsPersonal AttributesMale Partnerships
Draft
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Chanel A. Johnson
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company- System Engineer Associate
Spelman College- B.S. in Mathematics-Dual Degree Engineering
Program
Purdue University- B.S. in Mechanical
Engineering
University of Southern California- M.S. in System Architecting
& Engineering
“ It is important for young women like to me to help
breakdown the barriers within in STEM”
- Chanel A. Johnson
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What about my challenges as a woman of color in STEM?
• Stereotypes
• Tokenism
• Bicultural Differences
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Women in Tech: More Than Just a Pipeline IssueOr
Why am I a scientist? And why am I still a scientist?
Answers- because it is big fun!! It is exciting!! It is rewarding!! It is challenging!!
It is important!!!
Meet Dr. Paulette Ford, Research Ecologist - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrWXsP7PHOU
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What about my challenges as a woman of color in STEM?
I’ve had them at all levels of my career,BUT- was always determined to get what I came for! For example, getting my PhD.
Worst 5 years of my life- BUT also most rewarding! One person that inspired me during a particularly difficult time in graduate school was Miss Jones in a photo from 1924.
