A new network has been founded in the North East to connect women working in the tech sector.
Women in Tech North East has been set up to provide a platform for women to connect and share their knowledge and experiences.
Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics, show that women make up around 21% of digital jobs in the North East and only 3% of young women coming through education see tech as a “first choice” career.
Originally set up as a social media community, the network will hold its inaugural in person event later in the month.
“Having been based in the region for nearly 4 years, I’ve been excited by the buzz in the tech scene. It’s an incredible region, with so many people who are changing the world through tech,” said founding member, Professor Sue Black, Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University.
“It’s time the North East had a network to support and catalyse the trajectories of the incredible women in tech.”
The network is open to everyone who studies, or works in a tech or digital role in the region, and identifies as a woman.
It will raise awareness of opportunities in the area and provide a “supportive community” to help women start and progress in digital and tech careers.
“When I career pivoted from culture into tech I was looking for a supportive, peer-led community to help me navigate this next step in my career,” added co-founder, Kathryn Wharton, Marketing Manager at Monstarlab.
“At the time, I couldn’t find a group like this so I am delighted that I can be part of launching this community to try and support other women thinking about or already working in tech.”
The other co-founders are Melanie Dunnett (Newcastle University), Elena Gorman (Qrious) and Rachel Pattinson (Newcastle University).
Their Summer Meetup is being sponsored by Newcastle University’s School of Computing.
“I hope that our new network, Women in Tech North East, will help women to spark new conversations, and open new doors to digital and tech opportunities,” said Gorman.
“The network is completely free to join. We can’t wait to launch the network formally at our Summer Meetup in July and start to build stronger connections between women in our region!”
