Lecture series to focus on women in technology

A corporate gender gap report by the World Economic Forum found a lack of role models is one of the greatest barriers to women leaders.

Against this backdrop, the it@Cork European tech cluster is holding a series of “women in tech” lunchtime events to increase the visibility of “talented, experienced women in the ICT sector”.

The series aims to promote female leaders and role models in technology, and support women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

Ruth Buckley, head of ICT and business services at Cork City Council, said there were almost 30,000 women working in STEM sectors in Ireland.

“We know that there are remarkable female role models out there, and we aim to highlight their careers and interesting work that they do with this lecture series.”

The first event will take place this Wednesday with guest speaker Prof Geraldine Boylan, director of the Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research.

She will discuss the recently developed computerised algorithm for detecting the signs of brain injury in new-born babies which is currently undergoing multi-centre clinical trials in a number of countries in Europe.

IBM global executive and chairman of it@Cork Denis Collins last week said the development of a high-impact digital quarter could act as a magnet for the ICT sector in the southwest region, attracting industry and citizens to locate and live around this hub.