Cracking the Digital Ceiling

A global examination of what influences women's participation in computing and what can be done to fix the gender gap.

Carol Frieze (Edited by), Jeria L. Quesenberry (Edited by)

9781108740074, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 October 2019

356 pages
22.7 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

'… a fine addition to this extensive research on the topic, as it further strengthens the case for more women to participate in digital economies. The book is a definitive, thought-provoking, and extremely well-organized collection of global perspectives carefully curated by experts Carol Frieze and Jeria Quesenberry.' Tetyana Darian, Technical Communication

Is computing just for men? Are men and women suited to different careers? This collection of global perspectives challenges these commonly held western views, perpetuated as explanations for women's low participation in computing. By providing an insider look at how different cultures worldwide impact the experiences of women in computing, the book introduces readers to theories and evidence that support the need to turn to environmental factors, rather than innate potential, to understand what determines women's participation in this growing field. This wakeup call to examine the obstacles and catalysts within various cultures and environments will help those interested in improving the situation understand where they might look to make changes that could impact women's participation in their classrooms, companies, and administrations. Computer scientists, STEM educators, students of all disciplines, professionals in the tech industry, leaders in gender equity, anthropologists, and policy makers will all benefit from reading this book.

Introduction Carol Frieze and Jeria L. Quesenberry
Part I. Global Perspectives: 1. An inegalitarian paradox Tiffany Chow and Maria Charles
2. Perspectives from the UNESCO Science Report 2015 Toward 2030 Sophia Huyer
3. Field studies of women in Europe, North America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific Eileen M. Trauth
Part II. Regional Perspectives: 4. Socio-cultural complexities of Latin American and Caribbean women in computing Palma Buttles and Fred Valdez, Jr
5. A gender perspective on computer science education in Israel Orit Hazzan, Efrat Nativ-Ronen and Tatiana Umansky
6. Factors influencing women's ability to enter the IT workforce Sophia Huyer and Nancy J. Hafkin
Part III. Cultural Perspectives from the United States of America and Europe: 7. Against all odds Monica Adya
8. Cultures and context in tech Sally Applin
9. Perspectives of women with disabilities in computing Brianna Blaser, Cynthia Bennett, Richard Ladner, Sheryl Burgstahler and Jennifer Mankoff
10. An interview with Dr Sue Black, OBE, computer scientist and computing evangelist Sue Black
11. An overview of the Swedish educational system with a focus on women in computer science Sinna Lindquist and Ingrid Melinder
12. Portugal: perspective on women in computing Arminda Guerra Lopes
13. Women in computing: the situation in Russia Evgeniy K. Khenner
Part IV. Cultural Perspectives from Asia-Pacific: 14. More Chinese women needed to hold up half the computing sky Ming Zhang and Yichun Yin
15. How the perception of young Malaysians towards science and mathematics influences their decision to study computer science Mazliza Othman and Rodziah Latih
16. Of pedestals and professions: female software engineers in Tamil cinema Joyojeet Pal
17. Women in computing education: a western or a global problem? Lessons from India Roli Varma
18. Challenging attitudes and disrupting stereotypes of gender and computing in Australia Catherine Lang
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Educational: IT & computing, ICT [YQTU], Computer science [UY], Ethical & social aspects of IT [UBJ], Personnel & human resources management [KJMV2], Business ethics & social responsibility [KJG], Inclusive education / mainstreaming [JNFN], Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Gender studies: men [JFSJ2]