The last few decades have seen no shortage of efforts to reduce the gender divide in the tech industry and introduce more women and ethnic minorities into the tech workforce.  Research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) suggests that these efforts are beginning to make a difference.

“Long-term measures like this work. More women choose to study technology subjects when we actively encourage it over time,” the researchers explain.

Improving the gender balance

The researchers cite the “Ada Project”, which is a longstanding initiative at NTNU to improve the gender mix in male-dominated disciplines, both through better recruitment and retention.  The data from the project highlights the need for continual support for the benefits to be maintained.

The study shows, however, that this effort does pay off, both for women and men as the data shows that more male students were able to complete their studies when they had more women studying alongside them.

“This indicates that a better gender balance makes the study more attractive for both men and women,” the researchers explain.

The authors believe this is largely because efforts to strike a better gender balance also have an impact on diversity in various other forms as well, which helps men just as much as it helps women.

Equal treatment

What’s more, the researchers highlight how when one group dominates an environment then anyone outside of that group is much more likely to be treated as someone different, with their experience diminished as a result.

By producing a better gender balance, this can reduce this phenomenon, which tends to improve things for everyone.  Nonetheless, the researchers believe it’s important not to get complacent, as gender imbalances can easily hide within sub-disciplines.

“Gender imbalance can arise quickly in fields that are rapidly evolving, so it’s important to be aware of this and work on it before it takes firm hold,” they conclude.