a woman sits smiling typing on a laptop.

;

Unlocking a path into computer science for young women and non-binary students

Joana Leitão

Senior Outreach Officer

18 December 2024

Technology & Science

This autumn, the Department of Informatics and the NMES Faculty Outreach Team ran a brand new online outreach programme for female and non-binary school students: Unlocking AI & Computer Science. The young people attending discovered cutting-edge informatics research, learned about life at university and explored the opportunities that studying computer science can open to them.

Over 250 students joined online over a series of eight sessions, each week exploring a different aspect of the broad spectrum of computing research that takes place here at King’s. Sessions were delivered by researchers at varying stages of their careers, with current undergraduates on hand to answer any questions.

A composite of four photos of smiling female computer scientists — Four speakers sharing their experiences working in Computer Science. Clockwise from top left: Sophie Worth, Tiarna Lee, Georgia Panagiotidou and Kovila Coopamootoo

Sessions explored a range of contemporary and relevant research topics. These included natural language processing, the backbone of tools like ChatGPT; human computer interaction, communication between people and machines; and cybersecurity, or how scientists are working to outsmart hackers. There was also space to talk about fundamental computer science principles like algorithms, how knowledge evolves in a digital world as well as the often overlooked societal and environmental impacts of AI. The programme ended by exploring what it like to study computer science at university, and demystifying how the application process works.

It was fantastic to see so many young people attending these sessions and really getting stuck into the activities. They asked some really in-depth questions to our speakers, and it was lovely to see a community between them building as the weeks passed. As a woman working in computer science, I am passionate about showing girls and non-binary students that there is something for everyone in the sector, and how enjoyable and rewarding a career can be. I hope to see plenty of these students in my lectures in the next few years.– Dr Kovila Coopamootoo, Informatics Outreach Lead

By featuring a broad range of topics and a diverse line-up of speakers, this programme made it clear to attendees that there is space in computer science for people with different interests and backgrounds. AI and computer science are still predominantly male fields at all levels, from the low numbers of girls opting to study Computer Science in school to the number of women pursuing higher level Computer Science education and careers. This programme countered this by highlighting successful women in computer science. By showing participants that computer science is a genuine and valuable option for their future, Unlocking AI & Computer Science aims to empower female and non-binary students to pursue a path in this direction.

I have definitely learnt more about areas of Computer Science which I may not have known existed, or didn't know too much about. It has definitely made Computer Science feel more accessible, as I have been exposed to people like me, and just being able to understand more about people's journey into Computer Science felt very authentic and made me feel even more confident that Computer Science is for me.”– Participant

I firstly loved how I felt United and that there was a sense of community. I had never met any other girls that were truly interested in computing overall, so interacting with other girls with the same hobbies and interests really helped me love computer science even more!! I feel as if these sessions really opened me up to a lot more opportunities and helped me understand what I truly want.– Participant

Many thanks to all those who delivered sessions over the course of the programme: Kovila Coopamootoo, Hubie Chen, Zheng Yuan, Chiara Di Bonaventura, Julia de Miguel Velazquez, Mackenzie Jorgensen, Sophia Worth, Kevin Lano, Arunav Das, Georgia Panagiotidou, and Tiarna Lee.

Unlocking AI and Computer Science is one of a range of programmes supported and delivered by the NMES Faculty Outreach Team. Across our programmes, we aim to provide young people, their supporters, and our local communities with high-quality STEM engagement opportunities. These are targeted to effect the changes needed to enable equity in STEM. Our programmes also aim to encourage and support students with the most potential to study here at King’s.
Check out our webpage to discover what opportunities we have coming up.