Digital technology now plays a central role in our societies, but women remain significantly underrepresented in computer science education and careers. In most European countries, they account for less than 15% of students in computer science graduate programs. This situation raises not only a question of equality but also a democratic issue: it is difficult to imagine a digital world that truly serves everyone when its design, development, and maintenance rely on a predominantly male workforce.
This lecture aims to shed light on the mechanisms that have led to the gradual masculinization of computer science as the field has gained social and economic significance. It will then present the main challenges related to gender diversity in computer science programs and, more broadly, in mathematics. Finally, drawing on research conducted over the past twenty years on gender and technology, it will discuss various practices aimed at promoting the inclusion of women: some that are widespread but ineffective, and others that are more likely to produce lasting effects when they are part of a comprehensive institutional strategy.