ACM-W Europe July 2024 Newsletter

 

In this issue:

 

Message from the ACM-W Europe Chair – Dorota Filipczuk

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.

See you soon!

 

Dorota Filipczuk

Chair of ACM Women Europe

 

Call for Volunteers: ACM-W Europe Working Groups

Deadline Extended! Are you passionate about making a difference in the world of computing? Do you want to be part of a vibrant community that empowers women in technology? If so, ACM-W Europe invites you to join our Working Groups!

 

 

The call for participation in ACM-W Europe Working Groups is now open! We are currently looking for volunteers to join the following teams:

  • Communications Working Group: This group is responsible for the ACM-W Europe newsletter, social media, website, blog and outreach campaigns. As part of this group, volunteers will have an opportunity to interview community members, write articles, help create social media campaigns and expand our reach, help maintain the ACM-W Europe website with up-to-date community information, work with ACM-W chapters and other community members on blog series. If you would like to be part of this team, apply here.
  • Wikipedia Project: This group will contribute to the recognition and representation of women’s achievements in our field by increasing the visibility of European women in computing on Wikipedia. As this is a new initiative, as a first step, the Working Group will work on a workshop proposal for womENcourage 2025 relevant to this topic. If you would like to join this Working Group, apply here. 
  • Hackathon Committee: ACM Women Europe is excited about the prospect of offering more events for the members and engaging with those members who may be unable to travel to our annual event, womENcourage. Therefore, we are looking for volunteers who can organise ACM-W Europe Hackathons, starting from a virtual event as a first milestone. If you’re ready to take on this challenge, apply here.

Join us in our mission to inspire, engage, and advance women in technology. Your voice and expertise can help us create a more inclusive future in computing. Whether you are a seasoned pro or new to the scene, this is your chance to contribute to a vibrant community, gain valuable experience, and make a lasting impact. 

ACM-W Europe Working Groups are open to volunteers of any level of seniority, including students. The extended application deadline is 31 August, 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth).

 

 

ACM – W Celebrations of Women in Computing

womENcourageTM

The next edition will take place in Brasov, Romania. Keep an eye on the website for details of the next edition.

 

 

2nd ACM Celebration of Women in Computing in Africa: AfricaCWIC 2024

The 2nd ACM Celebration of Women in Computing in Africa, known as AfricaCWIC 2024, is set to take place on September 20, 2024, at the United States International University – Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. This event, organised by the ACM Women Nairobi Chapter, aims to connect women from diverse technical disciplines and encourage them to pursue excellence in their studies and professions. 

This year’s theme, “Strategies to Foster Women’s Inclusion and Participation in Computing”, highlights the ongoing commitment to addressing and overcoming the barriers women face in the computing field. The event will focus on practical strategies to enhance women’s involvement and success in technology and computing.

AfricaCWIC 2024 offers a rich program filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities. Key highlights include:

  • Keynote Talks: leading women in technology will share their experiences and insights, inspiring attendees to strive for excellence.
  • Panel Discussions: topics will cover the challenges and triumphs of women in African tech, moderated by experts from various regions.
  • Workshops: interactive sessions on topics such as starting an ACM chapter and understanding the role of ACM and ACM-W.
  • Poster Presentations: an opportunity for participants to showcase their research and projects, fostering collaboration and innovation.

AfricaCWIC 2024 is more than just a conference; it’s a celebration of the collective energy, drive, and excellence that women bring to the computing field. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, AfricaCWIC aims to inspire the next generation of women in technology to break barriers and achieve their full potential. The event is open to all, regardless of gender, background or experience level.

To accommodate a global audience, AfricaCWIC 2024 will be a hybrid event, allowing participants to join either in person or virtually. Join us in Nairobi or online!

Check out the event here. 

Announcements

ACM Europe Council Seasonal Schools

ACM Europe Seasonal Schools focus on educating researchers on a general or specialized topic over the duration of one or two weeks and involve a small number of students. They provide a separate instrument for serving the computing community, achieving different goals from those of typical conferences. Usually, all students stay together in the same place, the venue of the school lectures, and ideally this is the case for all their instructors as well. This co-existence of everyone during lectures as well as social activities is important as it facilitates learning, the formation of groups that may continue to interact beyond the duration of the school and connects upcoming researchers and other computing professionals with ACM.

Open Academic Positions

KU Leuven has a full-time academic vacancy for a junior tenure-track professor in the Group Science, Engineering and Technology at the Faculty of Engineering Science and the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), in the field of spoken language technologies. Find out more here.

Deadline of application 30 September 2024, 23:59 CET

 

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. The next deadline for nominations is September 3, 2023.

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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