Informatics PhD students present at a major conference for women in computing

ACM conference WomENcourage helps female researchers build strong professional networks, share experiences and advance their careers. It is particularly valuable for early-career researchers and PhD students. Each year, King’s supports several women PhD students to attend WomENcourage through funding from the Department of Informatics, provided as part of our Athena Swan Action Plan.

Sinem led a "Meme-tivism" workshop, part of her broader research and creative practice using memes to support AI practitioners rethink the environmental footprint of their AI work. Inspired by the climate movement's use of internet memes and the prevalent meme culture within developer communities, the workshop employed memes as a critical, approachable and engaging medium. Following an introductory presentation on the scientific background, motivation and the Meme-tivism as a method, the hands-on workshop facilitated a collaborative meme creation session guided by the prompt card decks for inspiration, where participants created their own internet memes which were then shared in a collective discussion.

Carlota’s workshop introduced key concepts of Human-Computer Interaction, a field of study focusing on the design of computer technology and the interaction between humans and computers. The workshop titled “Interactive Human-Computer Interaction: The Basics of the Design Thinking Cycle” guided participants through the five stages of the design thinking cycle using a relatable, hands-on example.

During the career fair Carlota presented her poster “From Expressions to Impressions: A Thematic Analysis of User Perceptions of Non-Verbal Tracking in Video Calls” which showcased and further analysed the findings of her thesis research.

Julia led a workshop titled “Meaningfully Engaging Gender in Computing: Moving Beyond Inclusion Toward Structural Understanding.” She introduced the groundbreaking work of feminist scholars to honour the overlooked stories of feminists. Julia discussed the work of Judy Wajcman, a sociologist of technology who argues that innovation is shaped by male perspectives and values. She also examined Carol Gilligan’s challenge to traditional, male-centred theories of moral development. This inspired a sense of empowerment and encouraged a grassroots approach to confronting sexist experiences in the computer science workplace—both in content and relationships.

In a field still working on gender diversity, the womENcourage Conference has long been a crucial space for support among womxn in Computer Science. At King’s Department of Informatics, we have supported several of our PhD students in attending this event as part of our commitment to promoting both academic excellence and an inclusive community.

Beyond its inspiring keynotes and talks, womENcourage 2025 once again provided an environment where early-career researchers can strengthen essential skills, lead workshops, share research and build confidence.

The conference highlighted shared experiences of researchers from minoritised backgrounds that often go unspoken in academic settings: dealing with imposter syndrome, negotiating visibility and finding a sense of belonging in fields where many still feel like outsiders.

The conference showed how research and resilience come together, reminding us that the future of computing relies not only on innovation but also on the networks of support that sustain and empower those leading the way.

We aim to maintain this opportunity for our current and future PhD students, ensuring that upcoming cohorts of King’s researchers can attend next year’s womENcourage in Nice, France, and continue fostering this expanding network of solidarity and inspiration.