ACM TechNews

Are Female IT Graduates Still Underrepresented?

By Women in Technology
July 30, 2010
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Women are still underrepresented in technology-related degree programs, according to the latest data from the U.K.'s Higher Education Statistics Agency. The data shows that 38 percent of women are pursuing studies in mathematical sciences, the same percentage as 10 years ago. Women account for just 15 percent of students pursuing engineering and technology degrees, and the number of women studying computer science has fallen over the past five years, from 24 percent to 19 percent. "We need to be very worried that . . . these figures are low and not getting any better," says the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Peter Hicks.

Meanwhile, a new report from the Royal Society says the low number of people going into the science and technology profession could affect the U.K. economy. The report suggests that having more science teachers in early education could help improve the numbers.

Hicks agrees that primary schools should have more responsibility in encouraging girls to choose technology careers, and adds that there is a need for more female role models teaching science at the primary school level.

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