wConnect: a facebook-based developmental learning community to support women in information technology

Abstract

The under-representation of women in computer and infor-mation science (CIS) has created a crisis in availability of qualified CIS professionals and diversity of perspectives. Many interventions are being explored but these are primarily institutional programs like curriculum enhancements and mentoring. We describe wConnect, a developmental learning community that leverages social relations and social networking software to support women in CIS. This is a practical issue of some urgency that presents an opportunity for community informatics to impact the CIS profession. We report our progress and lessons learned, so that other organizations can initiate similar outreach activities.