Is it time to make businesses accountable for diversity in tech?

10/16/23 • 36 min

Hands up if your business is motivating girls and women in STEM!

Putting women at the centre of a business strategy doesn’t sound like the hardest objective. Yet it’s managing to stump hundreds and thousands of CEOs and senior managers throughout STEM organisations; perhaps holding their businesses – and innovation - back as a result. By 2030, when 11% of the workforce is comprised of socially savvy generation alphas, diversity will have to be the norm.

Yes, change is happening, but slowly. The numbers tell us that girls are overlooking and or being overlooked to study STEM subjects and degrees. According to UCAS, 35% of STEM students in higher education in the UK are women, and only 19% of students studying engineering and technology degrees are female. The honest truth is that so many women unexpectedly find themselves in technology careers that they hadn’t realised was perfect for them.

In this episode, Sarah Friswell, CEO, Red Ant, looks at why it’s so important to tackle the women in tech issue and whether it’s time to hold businesses accountable for the lack of diversity in tech.

Sarah has been leading the charge for women in tech since joining Red Ant in 2009. She's build a company of tech experts which is at least 59% female and she's also a founding member of CHIEF, an organisation that supports women in leadership.

She's featured in the top women in tech in Retail Technology Innovation Hub and is driving flexibility and opportunity for women within her organisation as well as ensuring that Red Ant engages directly with schools and colleges in workshops to motivate young people - girls in particular - to want to join the tech industry.

SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap.
Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

Hands up if your business is motivating girls and women in STEM!

Previous Episode

How to develop the Silicon Valley grit without picking up a toxic culture

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of developing the renowned Silicon Valley grit – the perseverance, the resilience and determination necessary for success in the competitive tech industry.

However, we’re also exploring an alternative approach that doesn’t require individuals to pick up and put up with a toxic culture that often plagues this renown hub of innovation.

Our guest today is Tamar Elan, Chief People Officer, Matillion and she’ll be shedding light on how individuals can foster a strong work ethic and resilience while maintaining a health and positive work environment. We examine the key principles and strategies that can be adopted to develop Silicon Valley grit without succumbing to the detrimental aspects of toxic culture.

Next Episode

What is website accessibility and why is it so important

People with disabilities may have various challenges that can affect their ability to use the internet and access online content. The goal of website accessibility is to ensure that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can access and interact with the content and functionality of a website with ease and without barriers.

For organizations, it's not only a legal and ethical responsibility but it’s also beneficial for business, as it opens up content and services to a larger audience.

In this episode, we discuss the term ‘accessibility’ and why it’s so important in web design, with Sue Irving, Senior User Experience Designer, Lucie Farrington, UX Researcher and Rachel Wright, Senior UX Researcher at The Very Group.

Hear them discuss how organizations can create more inclusive digital experiences that accommodate a broader range of users, regardless of their abilities.