This document summarizes research from Turkish Women in Computing (TWIC) on women in computer science in Turkey. It finds that unlike in other countries, in Turkey there is no "pipeline problem" with declining numbers of women in computer science. National exam scores are an equalizing factor, and economics, prestige, and confidence fuel women's interest in the field. Surveys of TWIC members found the top reasons for pursuing computer science were being good at math/science and the prospect of a well-paying job. Perceptions are changing with younger generations seeing it as a more prestigious career for women.
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Turkish Women Thriving in Computing Despite Challenges
1. Women and CS:
Lessons Learned from Turkey
Turkish Women in Computing (TWIC)
Three Founding Ph.Ds in CS
Ümit Yalçınalp, Gökçen Çilingir, Gülüstan Doğan
2. Turkish Women in Computing
An Anita Borg Institute Community
Global Presence
Independent (not tied to government, school,
company, sponsorship, etc.)
Has Sister community @Facebook:
Golden Girls of Computer Science,
1981-86 female grads of Comp Eng & Sci
Middle East Technical University, Turkey
3. Turkish Women In Computing
was born to
Conquer cultural differences:
Find/help/support in community through
career stages
Embrace Global Opportunities:
Unite CS graduates abroad & in Turkey
Enable recognition of members
6. Women in Tech News categories
“Pipeline Problem”
Declining Interest
Disparity in Universities and College
Admissions(Harvey Mudd’s gains!)
Equal Pay, Meritocracy & Cultural Factors
Debate about Abilities and Differences
between men and women
Retention
6
7. $ Pillars 4 Pillars of Changing the game
for Women in CS
Entering in the field
Getting hired in the field
Being Inspired/Having necessary tools
Staying in the field
8. Global Perspectives are necessary
News are global
State of affairs are local
Don’t blindly accept what you hear!
Learn and Compare!
Thank you Global Tech Women for this platform
9. in Turkey, girls
Do excel in High School Science & Math and
have confidence
Are attracted to undergrad degrees in CS and
beyond (MS., Ph.D)
and the trend is Increasing
10. Summary of Our Presentation at Voices
Conference in 2014!
10
Pipeline Problem in Turkey?
#sayWhat?
Proof? #checkitoutUS !!!
Why is it different?
11. Our Research on Getting into the Field
What is the status?
University admissions data
Why is it this way?
Prior Research
Our own survey in our
community
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/10768099944_517989996c_d.jpg
12. Entering the Field
Nationwide Placement Exam
1.8 Million take the test in 2013!
13. Our Hypothesis were
National Exam as driver and equalizer
Economics and Hipness Factor
Prestige for Families/Community
Confidence is there in Women for pursuing
the best
13
14. Statistics from OSYM Placement Exam
0.00
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.32
0.40
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Female ratio in new admissions at Computer Science
departments in Turkey (undergraduate)
15. USA vs. Turkey !
0.0
8.0
16.0
24.0
32.0
40.0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Percentage of females pursuing CS undergraduate
degrees
USA Turkey
16. Results from Last year…
Interest is increasing and steady
Applies to Grad degrees and Female Faculty too
More dropouts from men in grad degrees due to
military service postponement
Encouraging Numbers for women in STEM
Mathematics and Statıstıcs ~60% !
Popularity(CS) > Popularity(Civil Eng.)
Popularity(CS) > Popularity(Mechanical Eng.)
Popularity(CS) < Popularity(Chemical Eng.)
17. Important Footnote
No extra intervention, school, advertisement,
recruiting, mentoring tailored SPECIFICALLY
toward women to achieve these results
19. Supporting Research*
Survey of 671 female students in top 6 Turkish
universities
Investigates to find why women choose engineering
Covers STEM fields not only CS
* Smith, Alice E., and Berna Dengiz. "Women in engineering in Turkey–a large scale quantitative and qualitative examination."
European Journal of Engineering Education 35.1 (2010): 45-57.
20. TwiCS survey
250+ Turkish women in CS
TWICs members + friends
Graduates of top universities
Small but indicative population of our own
community
21. Art of Creating Surveys
Education researcher Hafize Sahin from
Washington University was key
Short
Multilingual
Questions focused on
Interest and successes in high school
Influence of family, friends, environment
Choice of fields of study
Detailed profile and background (age, school,
where you live)
23. TWIC Survey Results support our hypothesis
Why did you decide to pursue a career in Computer Science?
I was
good at
math and
I was told
Computer
Science
would be
a perfect
career
choice for
me.
Prestigiou
s/credible
degree to
have.
I did not
want to
be a
doctor.
It wasn't a
deliberate
choice, I
chose the
most
popular
departme
nt that I
can get in
with my
score (at
the
Nationa…
High
prospect
of finding
a well
paying job
after
graduatio
n
My
parents
chose it
for me, I
did not.
Adviser/m
entor
suggestio
n
Childhood
dream
Prove
women
can work
in the
field.
My parent
suggeste
d it, I
agreed.
Friend
suggestio
n
Participat
e in family
business
% 18.7 16.6 13.7 13.5 12.1 8.9 6.1 5.4 2.5 1.7 0.5 0.3
24. Favourite topics: Math & Science
What were your favorite classes in high school?
Math
Chemistr
y
Physics Literature
Painting /
Arts
History Music
Geograp
hy
Physical
Educatio
n (PE)
Biology
Ratios 32.1 20.1 14.6 8.8 5.8 4.3 4.3 3.7 3.7 2.5
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
25. Society Perception Impact
How does society see women computer engineers in Turkey?
It's a very
prestigious
occupation for
women.
36%
It is NOT a
preferred
occupation for
women.
12%
Women is
considered
inadequate
compared to man
in this occupation.
47%
I don't know.
5%
26. Society Perception Impact
It's a very
prestigious
occupation for
women.
16%
It is NOT a
preferred
occupation for
women.
11%
Women is
considered
inadequate
compared to man
in this occupation.
71%
I don't know.
2%
How does society see
women computer
engineers in Turkey?
(age < 30)
It's a very
prestigious
occupation for
women.
53%
I don't know.
7%
Women is
considered
inadequate
compared to man
in this occupation.
28%
It is NOT a
preferred
occupation for
women.
12%
How does society see
women computer
engineers in Turkey?
(age >= 30)
27. Childhood Perceptions Imposed by Society
Yes
13%
No
79%
I do not know / do
not remember
8%
Do you think your parents or teachers believed that "boys are better at
math/science subjects than girls" during your childhood?
28. Acceptance by Male Colleagues
How often do you feel accepted by your male colleagues in the workplace or
in school?
Sometimes
16%
Most of the time
50%
Rarely
6%
Always
25%
Never
3%
29. Feeling of Isolation
How often do you feel lonely or isolated from other people at the
workplace/school because of your gender?
Sometimes
21%
Rarely
35%
Most of the time
9%
Never
34%
Always
1%
30. Conclusion
Economics and Perceptions fuel the interest
Excelling in the national entrance exam encourages an
Engineering or Medical School degree
No lack of confidence in Women
Positive reinforcement from high school fuels
interest
30
31. Last but not least
Thanks!
Turkish Women In Computing community
OSYM for statistics
Dept. of Computer Engineering, Bilkent Uni
Prof. Dr. Altay Guvenir &
System Analyst Nazan Ceran Titrek
Dept. of Computer Engineering, METU
Prof. Dr. Ferda Alpaslan
Golden Girls of Computer Science where a lot
of these ideas have emerged via discussion