Students, alumni and staff at the Department of Computer Science gathered for a series of talks to celebrate the achievements of women in STEM.
By Dr Shamim Quadir (Senior Communications Officer), Published
On Tuesday 14 October, students, alumni and staff from the Department of Computer Science, School of Science & Technology, City St George’s, University of London gathered to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day, recognising the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The event was organised by the Women ++ Society, based that the Department of Computer Science at City St George’s.
Professor Golnaz Badkobeh, Head of the Department of Computer Science, opened the event with an inspiring keynote talk, reflecting upon the position of women in technology and highlighting the crucial role of allyship in ensuring that women not only enter the field, but also thrive and receive the recognition they deserve.
Marium Waseem, alumna of the MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the School, shared insights from her experiences in the technology industry, particularly focusing on the reception and perception of artificial intelligence (AI) and how individuals and organisations respond to technological change.
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Carolyn Symonds, also an alumna of the MSc in Artificial Intelligence, discussed her engagement with AI — how her curiosity about the technology has evolved into a deeper research interest, shaping her professional and academic journey.
Nausheen Fatma, alumna of the MSc in Software Engineering with Cloud Computing and Sofiia Myrvoda, graduate teaching assistant, and PhD candidate in Computer Science at the School, delivered deeply personal and inspiring presentations, sharing their extraordinary journeys into technology and the challenges and triumphs that have defined their paths.
Lily Chau, also an alumna of the MSc in Software Engineering with Cloud Computing, reflected on her experiences as a woman from an ethnic minority background in industry, articulating the key lessons she has learned and the messages she wishes to share with other women navigating similar spaces.
Finally, Helena Lyhme, PhD Candidate in Human Computer Interaction at the School, spoke about the pivotal role of the business analyst, shedding light on how analytical thinking and effective communication bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.
The event was very well received and the Women ++ Society aims to make the celebration day an annual event.
Ada Lovelace Day
Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM.
Founded in 2009 by former Executive Director of the Open Rights Group, Suw Charman-Anderson, it is now held every year on the second Tuesday of October
London ACM Women's Chapter
City St George’s, is also a founding institution for the London ACM Women's Chapter
The ACM-W chapters are vibrant hubs within the global computing community, dedicated to supporting, celebrating and advocating for women in computing. With hundreds of student and professional chapters spanning all continents, they provide localised opportunities for networking, mentorship, technical development and leadership building.
At the student-level, chapters empower women to connect with peers, engage with alumnae and access resources to enhance retention and success in computing.
At the professional level, chapters foster a welcoming environment for social, professional and technical interactions among women in industry, academia and research — offering events like tech talks, hackathons, career panels and formal mentoring.
Through their global reach, ACM-W chapters contribute significantly to diversifying and strengthening the computing field by ensuring that women are visible, valued and fully engaged.
