The gender gap in technology education

Abstract

Data on the educational system and on the business environment suggest that female representation in ITC-related studies and careers continues to be in a minority. Moreover, they show that in the prevailing technological paradigm, men create and manage digital innovations and women are users of such innovations, thus the risk of a growing gender gap persists, since ITCs underpin communication, science, culture, economy and innovation in this digital society, both ubiquitously and globally.

The hypothesis of gender-differential socialisation is scientifically plausible as an explanation of women’s lower interest in this area of knowledge from an early age. This study analyses gender barriers to technological education, their underlying synergies and the role of education for women and men to share the responsibility of being active agents in ITCs’ architecture and development.

Digital education; Technological society and gender; Digital gender gap; Interest and capacity; Educational innovation