Makers launches nominations for inaugural Women in Software Power List
Software developer bootcamp Makers has launched its first annual Women in Software Power List, nominations for which are now open.
In partnership with Level39, the Women in Software Power List is designed to recognise some of the female rising stars in the UK’s software development sector.
Nominations can now be put forward for consideration, and those suggested will be assessed by a group of judges to determine the final Power List of 30 women.
“We want to recognise the significant contribution of the rising stars of the software industry,” said Evgeny Shadchnev, CEO of Makers.
“There’s a need to examine the roles they play – as well as the companies that allow them to thrive. Compiling 30 incredible women across the country will bring the community closer and hopefully inspire others to consider a career in the digital economy and to encourage businesses to create environments that break down gender barriers and are conducive to everyone.”
The judges will use the following criteria to help decide the women who make the final list:
- Growth – in learning and leadership
- Influence – in the community and among peers
- Innovation – contributing to interesting projects at work or independently
Many blame a lack of visible and accessible female role models for the low number of girls who choose to go into science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects or careers, and young women have said they want more encouragement from role models in the industry.
Women are often underrepresented in technical roles such as software development, and Makers’ Power List aims to celebrate the contribution women make to the sector across the UK, as well as make these role models more visible to aspiring software engineers.
Makers is launching the Powerlist to address this lack of role models and encourage more women into the sector, after a Tech Nation report found only 19% of the digital workforce in the UK is female – despite the fact London in particular is a huge hub for global software engineering talent.
Tech Nation also found in 2017, the number of female software developers had dropped significantly over a 10 year period, with only 3.9% of technology and telco professionals in the UK made up by women in 2017 as opposed to 10% in 2007.
Makers also wants to but an emphasis on the importance of creating an inclusive workplace making women more likely to want to stay – many women in the technology industry tend to leave the sector at the seven year mark of their career – mainly by highlighting the companies young women in the software development space are thriving in.
Recognising the work these women contribute to the sector is one way of contributing to a more inclusive approach to the workplace.
While candidates must have been in the profession for fewer than six years, all roles and levels will be recognised and accepted as part of the nominations process.
Nominations will be open until March 10, after which the winners will be announced at a special event in London on 8 May 2019.
Anyone is welcome to nominate themselves, a friend, or a colleague they feel should be recognised for their contribution to the industry.