Open Tech Calendar

Delegates at this timely seminar will discuss next steps for policy - and businesses and the education system - to further increase opportunities for women within the tech sector, and improve gender equality throughout related industries.

They will assess progress so far and best practice, drawing on latest developments in education and skills training.

Sessions will consider lessons from initiatives in quotas at boardroom and management levels; the influence of strong female role models in academic institutions, businesses and through their portrayal in the media, and latest thinking on how well teaching, school structures and careers guidance are contributing to inspiring young women throughout education. Delegates will also discuss how policies such as shared parental leave can be built upon and how industry cultures can best be managed to help challenge traditional assumptions about women in the tech workforce.

This conference will bring together representatives from the Houses of Parliament with key stakeholders in technology and telecoms - including in the private and public sectors, business groups and trade associations, lawyers, charities, educational institutions at all levels, as well as academics with a particular interest in these important issues.

We are delighted that at this early stage Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice President EMEA, Facebook; Naomi Climer, President, Institution of Engineering and Technology; Emma McGuigan, Managing Director, UK and Ireland Technology Group, Accenture; Gillian Arnold, Director, Tectre and Chair, BCS Women; Kirsten Bodley, Chief Executive, STEMNET; Emma Cerrone, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Freeformers; Gillian Howard, Employment Lawyer; Rhona Hutchon, Managing Director, Scotland, Harvey Nash and Dr Sarah Peers, Vice President, Women’s Engineering Society have agreed to speak.