ACM Scholar Spotlights: Tea Dedić
Welcome to ACM Scholar Spotlights, a series where we shine a light on the inspiring paths of women in computing who received the 2025 ACM-W scholarship. Through their own words, we hear how they found their place in tech, what motivates them, and how they’re making an impact. These stories reflect not only technical achievement, but also courage, curiosity, and community.
In this feature, we share the story of Tea Dedić, a fourth-year Computer Science and Engineering student at the International University of Sarajevo. Passionate about networks, cybersecurity, and empowering women in tech, Tea reflects on her inspiring experience at womENcourage 2025.
Introduction
My name is Tea Dedić, and I am a fourth-year student of Computer Science and Engineering at the International University of Sarajevo, where I also work as a student assistant. From the very beginning of my studies, I was drawn to technology because of its power to shape the future and solve real-world problems. My main interests are networks and cybersecurity, fields where I hope to continue developing my career, both through further education and by contributing to projects that strengthen digital resilience and empower women in technology.
What has helped me most along the way is a combination of persistence, mentorship, and being part of supportive communities like ACM-W Sarajevo Chapter and ACM-W.
Attending womENcourage
I was honored to attend the 12th edition of ACM-W Europe womENcourage 2025 in Brașov, Romania. This was my first womENcourage, and the experience was inspiring, empowering, and eye-opening.
The program began with the hackathon on women’s and girls’ access to education, learning, and careers in STEM. My team worked on Minerva, a platform designed to support women, especially mothers returning from a career break, by providing materials, mentorship, and job opportunities. Working with an international team and receiving feedback from mentors taught me the value of bringing together diverse perspectives. It also made me reflect on how technology can be a bridge to re-entry into the workforce and a tool to reduce inequalities in access to STEM opportunities.
On the second day, I attended a wide variety of workshops and mentoring sessions, one of which was the workshop “The Human Side of Tech for Social Good and the Different Hats of a Designer” by Alexandra Brinzaniuc. It introduced me to new ways of thinking about technology, not only as something functional but as something that can be designed to serve people and communities. This session reshaped my understanding of ICT, showing me that even technical systems must prioritize the human element to be impactful.
On the final day, I presented a poster titled “Promoting Gender Equality in Cybersecurity through Education and Mentorship” with two of my colleagues, Hamza Adilović and Amina Hrustić. The poster highlighted the barriers women face in the cybersecurity field and proposed solutions through education, awareness, and mentorship. Engaging with attendees during the session broadened my perspective, as I learned how different countries address these challenges and how interdisciplinary approaches can strengthen cybersecurity education. This experience showed that education and mentorship are powerful tools for driving change.
Another important moment was attending “Be a Leader in Your Community: ACM-W Workshop on Chapters”, led by Ioanna Kantzavelou, where both professional and student chapter chairs shared their experiences, challenges, and leadership strategies. Listening to how others build thriving chapters, often overcoming cultural and structural barriers, gave me practical strategies that I can bring back to ACM-W Sarajevo. These sessions inspired me to think of leadership not just as guiding a team, but as building a supportive community where others can grow, contribute, and feel empowered. This experience reinforced my motivation to take an active role in strengthening our local ACM-W chapter and to help create spaces of belonging for women in computing.
Reflections and Takeaways
Looking back, each part of womENcourage contributed to my growth in a different way. The hackathon strengthened my teamwork and problem-solving skills while also showing me how technology can directly address social challenges and open doors for women in STEM. The workshops broadened my perspective on the role of technology in society, teaching me that leadership and community-building are just as important as technical expertise. Finally, presenting our poster on gender equality in cybersecurity gave me the chance to engage in meaningful discussions with both academics and professionals, which helped me understand how these issues are approached in different contexts. Meeting so many great, smart, and inspiring women also left a lasting impression on me. Altogether, the experience renewed my motivation to pursue my career in networks and cybersecurity and deepened my conviction that technical work must go hand in hand with mentorship, inclusivity, and advocacy.
Advice for Future Participants
For anyone considering attending womENcourage next year in Nice, France, do not hesitate, go and make the most of it. Be active in the hackathon, participate in workshops, and take every opportunity to meet people. Present your work, share your ideas, and ask questions. womENcourage is not only a place to learn but also a space where your voice matters, and where you will find encouragement, inspiration, and lifelong connections.