18 September 2024

Unlocking AI & Computer Science

Written by

Joana Leitao

Unlocking AI & Computer Science is a brand-new online outreach programme for female and non-binary school students run by King’s College London. Visit our website for more information and to apply by 29 September.

This programme aims to create a safe and welcoming space where young people interested in computer science can discover cutting-edge research in AI, hear all about what this area is like at university, and learn about the opportunities that studying computer science can open to them.

AI and computer science are still a predominantly male field

This is true at every stage, from the low numbers of girls opting to study Computer Science in school up to the number of women pursuing higher level Computer Science education and careers (1). Evidence suggests that all-girls informal learning spaces support the development of their feelings of belonging in STEM as well as allowing them to feel a degree of immunity to the negative effects of gender bias (2). By challenging prevalent stereotypes, showcasing successful women in computer science, and showing participants that computer science is a genuine and valuable option for their future, Unlocking AI & Computer Science aims to empower female and non-binary students to pursue a path in this direction.

Students will be part of an online community, giving them the chance to see that other people like them are thinking of applying to study at a research-intensive university like King’s. Across different sessions, participants will hear from researchers who are at different stages in their careers, as well as from undergraduate students who are currently studying AI or Informatics at King’s.

To cater to diverse interests, a range of topics will be covered: from Natural Language Processing – the backbone of tools like ChatGPT – and Human Computer Interaction – which studies communication between people and machines – all the way to Sustainable Software. In between, there will also be time to learn about how to put together a strong university application. The last session will feature a discussion panel, where participants can ask female researchers all they want to know about how it is to be a woman working in this field.

The programme is completely free to attend and will be run online so that it can reach as many interested young people as possible. For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website. Applications close on 29 September.

¹Gender_Insights_in_Computing_Education_Foundational_Evidence_Review.pdf (teachcomputing.org)

²ASEE PEER - The Role of All-Female STEM Spaces in Encouraging High School Girls to Pursue STEM