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Can Fandoms Fix Tech's Gender Gap?

Sunday, March 15
11:00AM - 12:00PM

Austin Convention Center
Room 6AB
Austin Convention Center

According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, 12% of 2012 computer science degree recipients from major universities were women. That number represents a staggering decline from just a decade ago. We talk a lot about closing the gender gap, but how can we if universities aren't producing more women in STEM fields? Jessica McDonald, Director of Marketing and Communications for SparkFun Electronics, argues that the answer lies in changing how we think about teaching technology. She'll present original research describing how participation in fandoms--yes, fandoms--through sites like Tumblr and cosplay are shaping a new generation of techie girls, as well as discuss initiatives her company has taken based on this research in an effort to help close the gender gap.

Hashtags

#sxsw #FandomTech

Presenters

Jessica McDonald

CMO

SparkFun Electronics

Jessica McDonald lives in Denver and serves as the head of marketing and communications for SparkFun Electronics in Boulder, CO. Her expertise in technology and digital media has led her to own her...

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