ACM-W Europe January 2026 Newsletter

In this issue:

 

Join the ACM-W Buddy Chapter Program!

Across the ACM-W Europe region, chapters are doing remarkable work to uplift, connect, and inspire women in computing. The ACM‑W Buddy Program is a great opportunity to extend that impact even further. By pairing chapters across different countries and cultures, the program creates space for shared learning, collaborative events, and peer support. Every chapter, no matter its size or stage, has something valuable to offer — and something meaningful to gain.

Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, co‑host activities, or discuss technical topics of your interest, the program provides a supportive and flexible way to grow together. The ACM‑W Buddy Program is built around three stages: 

  • BuddyChat: A conversational session (~1 hour) for mentorship, discussion, or shared reflection,
  • BuddyTech: A technical activity such as a workshop, tutorial, or skills exchange.
  • BuddyCelebrate: A celebratory event (~2 hours) to highlight achievements and recognise members.

For student chapters connecting across the ACM‑W Europe region, ACM‑W Europe offers direct mentorship throughout the programme and travel grants to support buddy chapter officers meeting in person. 

If your chapter hasn’t joined yet, we’d love to welcome you into this growing network! To express your interest, please email: acm-w-europe-volunteers@acm.org.

 

Apply to Host an ACM Celebration of Women in Computing!

ACM‑W Europe invites members of the community to host an ACM Celebration of Women in Computing in their local area. These events play an important role in supporting, recognizing, and advocating for women in computing across Europe. Hosting a Celebration provides an opportunity to strengthen regional networks, highlight local achievements, and create a dedicated space in which participants can engage with peers, industry partners, and academic colleagues.

ACM offers financial sponsorship of $3,000 for each approved event, together with access to planning resources, branding materials, and guidance from experienced organizers. Events must run for at least one day, follow the established Celebration model, and be clearly branded as an ACM Celebration of Women in Computing. Applications are welcomed from individuals of any gender and from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including academia, industry, and the wider computing community.

Apply for hosting an ACM Celebration using this form. Further information, including detailed guidance and requirements, is available at Association for Computing Machinery.

How to Write a Wikipedia Article From Scratch

 

Thinking about writing a Wikipedia article but not quite confident yet? 

We’ve put together a crucial guide to support you through this journey.

Why is it important to write in Wikipedia?

Computing professionals support open knowledge, fight false information, and increase global access to reliable technical information by contributing to Wikipedia—all of which are closely related to ACM’s mission.

Ether Wikipedia is one of the most important knowledge sites in the world, many computer professionals hesitate to contribute because they don’t know where to start. If you follow a few crucial steps, writing a new article is not as difficult as it might seem:

  1. Recognize the fundamental guidelines 
  2. Select a Prominent Subject
  3. Create Account and Utilize the Resources
  4. Collect Trustworthy Sources
  5. An encyclopedic-style draft
  6. Send in for Evaluation
  7. Preserve the Article

Read all the details on our blog.

 

Blog: Trailblazers in Computing: Margaret Hamilton

 

In this edition of Trailblazers in Computing, we turn our focus to Margaret Hamilton, whose work helped define what reliable software engineering looks like today. Her story goes beyond geography, reminding us that the foundations of modern computing were built through careful thinking, collaboration, and persistence—values that continue to shape and inspire the computing community worldwide.

Read the entire blog on our website.

 

 

 

Announcements

Empowering Women in Computing: Apply for ACM-W Scholarships

Are you a woman pursuing your passion in computing? ACM-W (Association for Computing Machinery’s Council on Women in Computing) is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and advocating for women in the field. They offer scholarships designed to help break down financial barriers and enable talented women to achieve their academic and professional goals in technology. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate student, or early-career professional, ACM-W provides resources and funding opportunities to help you succeed in the dynamic world of computing. Don’t miss this chance to join a global community committed to advancing women’s participation and leadership in technology.

Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines

Conference Dates Deadline Notification By
Apr 1 – May 31 Feb 15 Feb 28
June 1 – July 31 Apr 15 Apr 30
Aug 1 – Sept 31 June 15 June 30
Oct 1 – Nov 30 Aug 15 Aug 30
Dec 1 – Jan 30 Oct 15 Oct 30
Feb 1 – Mar 31 Dec 15 Dec 30

Plan ahead!

Scholarship applications often require letters of recommendation, transcripts, and personal statements. Start gathering your materials now to ensure you have plenty of time to submit a strong application. Visit the ACM-W website today to review eligibility requirements and begin your application process.

Application and supplementary information can be found here.

 

ACM Awards and Advanced Grades of Membership Deadlines

Each year ACM recognizes outstanding achievements of its members through awards that cover a spectrum of professional and technological areas and different stages of professional development. 

To learn more about awards, we recommend the article by the ACM President Cherri M. Pancake, who dispels some common myths about ACM Awards and Honors in the Communications of the ACM, August 2019. One of the myths is that the ACM Awards never honour people working outside North America. Prof. Pancake writes that even though nothing would make ACM committees happier than to recognise the achievements of people from around the globe, there are very few nominations. Source: Dispelling Common Myths About ACM Awards and Honors.

Call for ACM Senior Member Nominations

The Senior Member advanced grade of membership recognizes ACM members with at least 10 years of professional experience and 5 years of continuous ACM Professional membership. Nominations are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Students
Early Career
Mid Career
Late Career
Area-Specific, typically Mid to Late Career

For SIG-specific Awards, please visit here.

For ACM Advanced Grades of Membership, please visit here.

 

Thank you for joining us in recognizing the accomplishments of ACM Women in Europe and ensuring they are nominated for ACM Awards they deserve.

 

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