Women in computing

Comments from Harvard’s president have reignited a debate about the declining presence of women in the information technology field.

Although research points to differences between male and female brains, scholars point to other factors in explaining why women have been logging off from computer careers. Meanwhile, reformers working to reverse the trend can point to at least some success.

A number of scholars reject the idea that women are biologically less apt to succeed in the computer science field. They point instead to factors such as the stereotype of computer jockeying as a geeky, male profession. The long hours often required with computing jobs also may deter women who wish to raise children.

While the statistics for women IT workers are bleak, they have spawned dozens of efforts to attract women to the field and encourage those already there.