ACM-W Europe September 2024 Newsletter

 

In this issue:

 

Encouraging Women in Computing an ACM-W Celebration, Cyprus Chapter

The Association for Computing Machinery’s Committee on Women in Cyprus (ACM-W Cyprus) is hosting an event dedicated to empowering and supporting women in the computing field. The event will take place in Limassol on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Pefkos City Hotel (9:00 – 17:00) in celebration of Ada Lovelace Day, honoring the world’s first female programmer. 

The event will feature two sessions designed to inspire and empower women in the field of computing:

9:00 – 10:45 | Session 1: “Empower Her – The Computing World Needs Her”

This session invites professionals and academics to participate in an open discussion aimed at inspiring attendees. Success stories will be shared, focusing on how women in computing can effectively balance personal life, professional responsibilities, and other commitments while remaining engaged in the field.

11:00 – 17:00 | Session 2: “Creative Coding: Empowering Women to Innovate and Thrive”

This hands-on session offers practical experience in digital making activities using microcontrollers. Participants will explore creative coding techniques, encouraging innovation and growth in the tech world.

There is no participation fee; however, pre-registration is mandatory. 

Please check the details here.

 

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.

 

 

Call for proposals to organize womENcourage 2026

We are looking for proposals to host womENcourage 2026.

The proposal process includes two phases (all the templates you will need are provided on our website):

  1. Expressions of Interest (EoI) to be submitted no later than 21 November 2024, 23:59 AoE. 
    • Each EoI will be reviewed by the womENcourage Steering Committee and followed up by a conference call to discuss the proposal. Submitting an EoI does not constitute a firm commitment to hosting. It is a first step towards a conversation with ACM-W Europe which will help you navigate the process of applying to be a host venue, by thinking early about what you need to have in place to fulfill the requirements to host the event. 
    • Notification of successful EoI proposal by 20 December 2024.
  2. Full Hosting Proposals by 20 February 2025, 23:59 AoE.
    • The teams that are shortlisted for the second phase will be provided with a budget template and advice on submitting the full proposal.
    • Notification of the final decision will be shortly after.

Check here for more details. 

 

Starting an ACM-W Chapter

With the academic year kicking off, it is a great time to consider the opportunity of joining the ACM-W chapters network. According to a recent study, only 27% of the computing workforce are women. By starting a local ACM-W chapter, you can create a supportive environment that encourages diversity and inclusion in computing at your institution or in your hometown.

Professional chapters are platforms for networking, development and collaboration between like-minded individuals from academia, industry, startups and other sectors of computing in the same city. Having a local ACM-W chapter can help reduce feelings of isolation among women and increase a sense of community and belonging. For professional chapters, the chapter’s name typically includes the name of the city, e.g. “Barcelona ACM-W Chapter”, “Trondheim ACM-W Chapter”, etc. You can start a professional chapter in 4 easy steps. The Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer must be ACM Professional Members.

For students, this is a chance to make a difference on campus. The chapter can be a place where women studying computing courses can discuss difficulties they encounter and strategies for addressing them. Being part of a student chapter means being part of a supportive community. No need to mention that starting a chapter also offers an opportunity to develop leadership skills, connect with peers and professionals, and gain access to resources and events that can enhance your academic and professional journey. Student chapters’ names usually reflect the institution they are affiliated with, e.g. “UPV ACM-W Student Chapter”, “Koç University ACM-W Student Chapter”, etc. To start an ACM-W student chapter, have a look at the instructions here. The Chair and Vice Chair must be ACM Student Members. In addition, there needs to be a Faculty Sponsor who is an ACM Professional Member.

Starting and running an ACM-W chapter can be a rewarding experience, and there is a lot of resources to help you navigate the process. I recommend starting with the “ACM Chapter in a Box” guide, which provides comprehensive materials for organizing and maintaining your chapter, including tips on recruiting members, planning activities, and managing. If you are thinking of starting a student chapter or a professional chapter involving academic women in computing, I encourage you to read the 13 tips for creating and sustaining a women in computing group on your campus.

For inspiration and practical ideas, the “One Hundred One Ideas for ACM-W Chapters” publication offers a wealth of activities and initiatives that can help keep your chapter vibrant and active. Moreover, learning from the experiences of other chapters can be invaluable. The Central Ohio ACM-W Professional Chapter has shared their strategies and insights, which can provide guidance and motivation as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of running your own chapter – check out this post from the Central Ohio ACM-W Professional Chapter.

At ACM-W Europe, chapters collaborate as part of the Buddy Programme and participate in activities such the ACM-WE Workshop on Celebrations. Chapters can also apply for ACM-W funding to host a local Celebration of Women in Computing. Moreover, chapter members are eligible for acm.org email addresses, a three-month complimentary electronic subscription to “Communications of the ACM” and ACM’s popular e-newsletters.

We look forward to welcoming you to the network of ACM-W chapters in Europe and around the world, dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and advocating for women in computing.

 

Announcements

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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