Aligning with the university’s other strategic initiatives around women in STEM, the Office of the AVP & CTO is proud to present this editorial series that highlights the successes of women who contribute to McMaster’s technology landscape. Launching on February 20, 2020, this series will feature a profile of one changemaker per month throughout the calendar year. This initiative fits within the McMaster IT Strategic Pillar of Connected McMaster Community and speaks to the important adaptability towards advance technology capabilities that comes with diverse perspectives.

Recent studies by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and the Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship both report a staggering pay gap for women in technology, with women earning $20,000 CA less than their male counterparts. Further, the ICTC also indicates other barriers for women to even enter the tech workforce, with women representing only one quarter of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) even though they represent half of the overall Canadian workforce.

We are fortunate to have so many amazing WomenInTech ChangeMakers at McMaster University and this initiative intends to highlight these women so they can be role models and beacons for other women and men who believe in the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. We want to admire those who are making a difference, and inspire others to contribute to the successful advancement of our McMaster IT Strategic Vision.

We encourage any member of the McMaster community to submit a fellow classmate or colleague for consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for the 2020 series of profiles.

1. Please submit this Microsoft Form to nominate a colleague, student, faculty member, or McMaster community member for this recognition. You can also self-nominate, too!
2. Candidates will be reviewed by the Office of the AVP & CTO in partnership with a McMaster IT Selection Committee. The Equity and Inclusion Office will provide guidance as well. The purpose of this structure is to ensure a range of voices and diverse perspectives are featured.
3. If your nominee is selected, The Office of the AVP & CTO will conduct an interview with this changemaker and publish an article about their contributions to the campus technology landscape.

The McMaster IT Selection Committee will be following the following guiding principles: