1st Edition

Reconfiguring the Firewall Recruiting Women to Information Technology across Cultures and Continents

    288 Pages
    by A K Peters/CRC Press

    This comprehensive volume addresses the global challenge of recruiting girls and women into majors and careers in information technology. The studies are both illuminating and prescriptive for designing and implementing intervention programs. An essential tool for college faculty and advisors who implement activities and programs designed to promote the success of women in science and engineering, as well as those who fund these programs, academic researchers, K-12 educators, and IT industry professionals committed to a diverse workforce, this collection includes contributions by top researchers and IT professionals, including William Aspray, Bettina Bair, Sarah Berenson, Lenore Blum, Carol J. Burger, Elizabeth G. Creamer, J. McGrath Cohoon, M. Bernardine Dias, Carol Frieze, Orit Hazzan, Ann Howe, Jane Butler Kahle, Sarah Kuhn, Anne Laughlin, Soyoung Lee, Paula G. Leventman, Holly Lord, Miranda Marcus, Cecille Marsh, Peggy S. Meszaros, Joan Michael, Lesley H. Parker, Paula Rayman, Mladen Vouk, Lesley Warner, Laurie Williams, and Judith Wooller.

    Acknowledgments, Part I. Introduction, Part II. The Secondary School Level, Part III. The Post-Secondary Level, Part IV. Information Technology Careers, Part V. Conclusion, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Contributors

    Biography

    Carol J. Burger, Elizabeth G. Creamer, Peggy S. Meszaros

    " must read for anyone interested in encouraging girls and women in the world of IT. Full of information and inspiration-this volume is a treasure.” -author of Has Feminism Changed Science?, Director of the Clayman Institute for Gender Research, Stanford University, March 2007
    the Firewall is a thoughtful and thorough contribution to the literature on the issues of women in IT in the developed world.” -Executive Director, Center for Women and Information Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County Executive Director, Center for Women and Information Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County Executive Director, Center for Women and, March 2007
    book is jammed with information and insight. The editors and contributors have truly raised the level of discussion about how to address the under-representation of women and people of color in IT-and in science and engineering fields in general."" -Psychology and Women's & Gender Studies, Project Director, WGS WISE Curriculum Project, NC State University, March 2007
    ""Educators and any involved in information technology recruits in general and women's studies in particular will find this packed with important suggestions and insights."" -California Bookwatch, July 2007
    ""Given the discussions and survey results included, this book is an excellent tool for developers of mentoring and diversity program initiatives in academia ... This book validates the need to create opportunities and provide a framework for young girls and women to consider a career in IT."" -CHOICE Magazine, November 2007
    ""In Bezug auf nationale Initiativen, die mehr Frauen an die Informatik heranführen wollen, bringt die Lektüre ... deutschen Lesern Gewinn."" -Buchkritik, November 2007
    ""A key contribution of Reconfiguring the Firewall is the global focus and interdisciplinary perspective of the book. The chapters explore gender and IT issues specific to various regional, national and international contexts. Consequently, much of the analysis is directed at advancing the understanding of sociopolitical, environmental and cultural factors that play a significant role in females’ decision to pursue IT careers. . . . [This book] is a single source for state-of-the-art research on the topic of women in IT. The book provides an expansive analysis of diverse intellectual discourses, theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, and recommendations to attract and retain more women in IT. . . . Most definitely Reconfiguring the Firewall is a 'must have' for researchers, educators, practitioners, policy makers or anyone concerned about gender stratification in IT educational programs and professions."" -Jeria L. Quesenberry, Information Technology and People, July 2009"