As I step into the role of Chair, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you, the members and volunteers, for your trust and support. It is an honour to serve ACM-W Europe.

With the arrival of summer, it is time to celebrate the recent successes of our community. Last month has seen a number of ACM-W Europe activities, including the 11th ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: womENcourageTM hosted at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain. With over 60 posters, inspiring keynotes, tech talks, expert panels, workshops, a career fair, and a hackathon, the event provided a vibrant platform for learning, networking, and celebrating the achievements of women in computing. Moreover, the 6th Summit on Gender Equality in Computing (GEC’24), organised by the University of Cyprus and the Greek ACM-W Chapter, took place in Nicosia, Cyprus. Through a series of activities, including two keynote talks, a panel and a poster session, GEC’24 participants learnt about current and emerging topics and new achievements in computing. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to organising these events.

In addition, I am thrilled to see two ACM-W Europe student chapters joining the Buddy Project. Last month, ACM-W Koç University Student Chapter based in Istanbul, Turkey and UPV ACM-W Student Chapter based in Valencia, Spain partnered as Buddies. Congratulations to both chapters! The Buddy Project is a great way to collaborate with other chapters and I cannot wait to see the impact these chapters make together.

As we recharge our batteries this summer, let’s also prepare for the new season of events and initiatives. This autumn, there are several regional celebrations being planned, including the 2nd ACM Celebration of Women in Computing in Africa: AfricaCWIC 2024. Such events strengthen our bonds and amplify our voices. I encourage you to participate, share your stories, and connect with fellow ACM-W members.

Last but not least, I invite you to join the network of ACM-W Europe volunteers. Volunteering within our community is not only a way to give back but also an excellent opportunity for networking. By volunteering, you can connect with like-minded professionals, share knowledge, and build relationships that can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. It is a powerful way to expand your professional network while making a meaningful impact. I hope that you consider the opportunity to join one of our Working Groups, start a student or professional chapter, join the Buddy Project or organise a celebration.

Let’s work together to make the change we want to see.

The 11th ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: womENcourage™ 2024, was hosted at Escuela Politécnica Superior of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain. The program included more than 60 posters, 2 keynotes, 2 tech talks, 2 expert panels, 17 workshops, a career fair and a hackathon.

We are hoping to see you in the next edition which will take place in Brasov, Romania in 2025. Keep an eye on the website for details of the next edition.

In this issue:

• • ACM – W Celebrations of Women in Computing
    • womENcourage
    • 2nd ACM Celebration of Women in Computing in Africa: AfricaCWIC 2024
    • ACM Women Trondheim Event
  • Announcements:
    • ACM Europe Council Seasonal Schools
    • Open Academic Positions
    • ACM Awards and Advanced Grades of Membership Deadlines

Diversity Heroes – Virginia Grande

We had the pleasure to speak to VIrginia Grande who shared their journey with ACM-W Europe and an insight on diversity and inclusion in computing.

Read the blog to find out more.