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Atlee named Director of Women in Computer Science
The University of Waterloo named a professor and long-time advocate for increased female participation in her field as its first-ever director of Women in Computer Science.
In her new role, Joanne Atlee will continue to strive to help women feel comfortable and confident in the field largely dominated by men. She is an expert in model-based software engineering and a professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at Waterloo.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S., women filled 26 per cent of professional computing positions in that country in 2014, and the number in Canada is likely similar. With added outreach efforts, Waterloo has seen a gradual increase in female enrolment in that field of study, which now sits at about 25 per cent.
"The participation of women in computer science is low globally, and that is bad for the field because diversity brings a greater variety of ideas and viewpoints to the table," said Professor Atlee. "Half the battle is encouraging girls to learn about computer science when they’re young, and the other half is supporting them once they arrive at university."
In 2007, the school created a standing committee for Women in Computer Science, WICS, which is dedicated to promoting women who are interested in studying computer science and who seek to pursue careers in computing. Waterloo's Women in Engineering supports current female engineers and university students, and encourages the next generation of women to pursue careers in engineering. The newly formed Women in Science organization at Waterloo is developing its programming.
"The Faculty of Mathematics is committed to increasing the number of women in mathematics, both generally and specifically in computer science," said Stephen Watt, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics at Waterloo. "I am delighted to welcome Professor Atlee to her new role. The Women in Computer Science initiative is a central element of our strategy and we are fortunate to have Professor Atlee as its leader.”
In May, Waterloo accepted the UN's invitation to take part in the HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 framework to achieving long-term and sustainable gender equity. The University committed to increasing female student participation in STEM experiences, enhance female faculty representation, and attract and advance women in senior positions.
Waterloo Innovation Summit continues
The Waterloo Innovation Summit is in its third and final day today, with a full slate of activities taking place at the Communitech Hub in downtown Kitchener.
Feridun Hamdullahpur delivered opening remarks yesterday morning to kick off the conference proceedings at the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre.
"The University of Waterloo is Canada’s premier innovation university, and we feel a special responsibility to make sure the concept of innovation is sustained in all its vitality. And that it never loses its meaning. I know we’re joined in this commitment by our finest peer institutions world-wide," Hamdullahpur said. "Together, I believe that Canada’s universities can help chart path forward for Canada’s innovation economy."
President Hamdullahpur also introduced Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who addressed the conference attendees and highlighted the province's support for the innovation corridor linking Toronto and Waterloo Region.
For a recap of yesterday's activities, check out the Waterloo Stories site.
As for what's on the schedule for today:
This morning, Ajay Royan, co-founder of San Francisco-based venture investment powerhouse Mithril, will engage in a fireside chat with Communitech's Iain Klugman.
Following the fireside chat is a panel session entitled "Connectivity, Collaboration and Community" moderated by Mary Lindenstein Walshok of the University of California San Diego featuring panelists Don Ball of Coco Coworking and Collaborative Spaces, Shauna Causey of Galvanize, Bjoern Lasse Herrmann of Compass and Audrey Russo of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
Doors Open and other notes
Doors are being flung open wide across the region this weekend with 40 locations participating in the 2015 Doors Open Waterloo Region. This year's theme is "Play On! Sports Past, Present and Future." 10 of the participating locations are sport-themed in some ways, as the Doors Open events across Ontario celebrate sport through community clubs, legendary venues, professional teams, and innovative technologies and facilities.
The University of Waterloo is participating this year with on-ice demonstrations at the Columbia Icefield featuring HockeyTech, which leads the research and development of analytic data gathering, applications and usage in hockey. In these 30-minute on-ice demonstrations at the University of Waterloo Columbia Icefield Arena, players will be “tagged up” and tracked by a sensor array mounted in the building's ceiling, and visitors will see how this pioneering technology gathers data on speed, position, time-on-ice and more. The demonstrations are scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Be sure to bring a coat.
Among the other Doors Open locations:
- The Kumpf Drive headquarters of Aeryon Labs, Inc., a robotics company co-founded by Waterloo alumni;
- The CIGI Campus on Erb Street, home to the Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Balsillie School of International Affairs;
- the Strasbourg Road headquarters of Clearpath Robotics, a Waterloo spinoff; and
- the Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine on Victoria Street in Kitchener, located adjacent to the School of Pharmacy in the Downtown Kitchener Health Sciences Campus.
If you haven't gotten your fill of hackathons and interesting spaces this weekend, then head on down to the Maker Expo on Saturday, September 19 at Kitchener City Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event, sponsored in part by the University of Waterloo and Velocity, promises to feature a diverse family-friendly showcase of makers, artists and organizations who create amazing things in celebration of the do-it-yourself spirit.
Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include: ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Towers Watson, Palantir, RSA Canada, Desjardins, Airbnb, Microsoft Canada, Imperial and ExxonMobil Business Support Center Canada - EMIT, Noom, Morneau Shepell, Collins Barrow Toronto CPA Audit, Influitive Corporation, TD Bank, 500px, Manulife Financial/John Hancock (Actuarial), Manulife Financial (Acct/Finance/CPA Training), Yext, Economical Insurance, Microsoft, GE Canada, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting, TATA Consultancy, Deloitte, LinkedIn Corporation, Sun Life Financial, Enflick, Hatch, Bruce Power, CIBC Technology, Meraki, Mercer Canada Ltd, BlackBerry, A Thinking Ape Technologies, Inc., Bazaarvoice, Ernst & Young, and Digiflare.
Finally, Susanna Fiorelli of the Graduate Studies Office celebrated her birthday (we won't ask which one) with her colleagues yesterday, and I've been told today is in fact the day. Fiorelli is wearing the celebratory lei in case you were wondering. Happy birthday from your friends in the GSO, Susanna!