ITW: Women in Information Technology Workplaces: A Study of Women Computer Science Degree Recipients in the Software Industry

Harvard University, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

Institution: Harvard University Proposal Number: EIA 0089965 PI: Paula Rayman Title: Women in Information Technology Workplaces: A Study of Women Computer Science Degree Recipients in the Software Industry This CISE Information Technology Workforce (ITW) proposal requests funds to investigate the attraction, retention, and promotion issues of women in IT by comparing female and male professionals who hold degrees in Computer Science/Computer Engineering (CS/CE) and who work in software and Internet companies. A major component of this investigation will be a survey of male and female CS/CE degree holders from 800 Massachusetts software/Internet workplaces. A second major component will be qualitative interviews with a sample of 100 female and 100 male IT professionals drawn from the survey respondent pool. This project has the potential to provide significant insights about factors affecting the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women who pursue IT careers.