Sheffield Hallam University's School of Computing and Digital Technologies (CDT) marked International Women's Month with its first Women in Tech event on the 9th of March, bringing together students, staff, and industry professionals to celebrate the achievements of women and non-binary people in the sector.
Three guest speakers took to the stage to share their experiences: Alsa Tibbit (Cyber / AI Researcher and Cyber Ecosystem Lead), Maria Luisa Davila Garcia (Senior Lecturer in CDT), and Pallavi Chintapalli (Academic Tutor in CDT). Each offered candid reflections on their career journeys, the progress women are making across the industry, and the personal obstacles they have had to overcome along the way.
Chaired by Dr. Diana Hintea (Deputy Head of School in CDT), the event also featured an alumni panel of seven former Sheffield Hallam University students — Chioma Ezenwa, Efetabo Ikaka, Gabrielle Race, Laura Sojka, Javeria Munir, Paria Rezayan, and Rebecca Uwah — who spoke about their paths from university life into careers in technology, and how their identities as women have shaped those experiences.
Adding a competitive edge to the afternoon, six students took part in a poster competition organised by Caren Fernandes, linked to the BCS Lovelace Colloquium, presenting their research to attendees and receiving valuable feedback from the community.
The event served as a timely reminder of the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in tech - and of the collective work still needed to drive meaningful policy change across the industry. Looking forward to next year!
