NWO Diversity and Inclusion Initiative award goes to WICS and ICS Diversity Committee
Female pioneers in Computer Science push for diversity
In the male-dominated world of Computer Science, three women at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences (ICS) are leading the charge for change. Through initiatives like the network Women in Information and Computing Sciences (WICS) and the ICS Diversity Committee, they are actively increasing the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in academia, creating mentorship opportunities, and encouraging a more inclusive culture within their department. Their work, which was recently recognised with the Diversity & Inclusion Initiative Award from the NWO, underscores an important truth: technology must be built for everyone, by everyone.

“A couple of years ago, I really had to go and search on other floors of the building to see if any other women were working here”, says Anja Volk, professor of Music Information Computing and one of the founders of Women in Computing Sciences (WICS) and the ICS Diversity committee. WICS was born out of a simple yet profound need: to attract more women to the field and provide a network for connection and support. “We started with organising informal lunches,” says Volk. These gatherings became a space where women could share their experiences and the challenges they faced.
Momentum
Maartje de Graaf, assistant professor of Human-Computer Interaction, recalls how the initiative quickly gained momentum: “After some time, the departmental board visited one of our meetings and realised the entire board was male. That realisation spurred changes, including the hiring of more female professors.” Today, WICS collaborates closely with the ICS Diversity Committee, which was founded in 2020 to address the growing diversity of staff and students in the department along dimensions such as culture, gender identities, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or socio-economic background. Together they organise talks, workshops, and panel discussions to stimulate inclusivity at all levels of the department.
There’s often resistance to creating spaces exclusively for women. Some people don’t understand the need for these safe spaces
Resistance and change
The roots of WICS trace back to 2017, designated as the Westerdijk Year to honour Johanna Westerdijk. Inspired by this, Volk spearheaded the formation of WICS. While the initiative brought hope, it also faced its challenges. “There’s often resistance to creating spaces exclusively for women,” says assistant professor of Visualisation and Graphics Tamara Mchedlidze. “Some people don’t understand the need for these safe spaces.”
The team also grappled with skepticism and unconscious biases. “I’ve often been mistaken for a student or asked if I followed my husband relocating between countries,” adds De Graaf. These types of moments highlight the importance of initiatives like WICS, which provide a platform for women to voice their experiences and focus on mutual understanding.
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Johanna Westerdijk
Johanna Westerdijk was a trailblazer in the academic world, becoming the first female professor in the Netherlands in 1917. Her achievement was a bold step forward, helping to break down barriers for women in higher education and inspiring many others to follow in her footsteps. Known for her work in plant pathology, Westerdijk’s legacy is one of resilience, leadership, and pushing boundaries. Her example continues to empower women in academia, showing that progress in science is fueled by diversity and inclusion.
Role models
A key success of WICS has been increasing the visibility of female role models. With several women now in full professorships, alongside an increase of representation of women in the department in all academic ranks from 10 percent in 2017 to 35 percent in 2024, there is a growing sense of belonging among female staff and students. Outreach efforts extend beyond the department. De Graaf visits elementary schools to talk about computer science and robotics, breaking down stereotypes for the next generation. “I want kids to see that professors aren’t just grey-haired men in lab coats,” she says.
In the past, I felt a lot of anger about the challenges I faced. But through collaboration, I’ve learned to channel that energy into positive change
Growth through collaboration
For the women involved, the initiative has been transformative as well. Volk reflects on her journey: "In the past, I felt a lot of anger about the challenges I faced. But Through collaboration, I've learned to channel that energy into positive change." For Mchedlidze, WICS is a reason to stay at Utrecht University. “Having like-minded people around me makes all the difference. Without this initiative, I might have considered switching universities after some time.”
De Graaf highlights the importance of solidarity: “Having allies who validate your feelings and experiences is incredibly empowering.” The initiative extends collaboration beyond the department. For instance, it helped establishing similar initiatives at other faculties, such as the founding of YWoG (Young Women in Geoscience) at the Faculty of Geosciences, and it contributes to other diversity-related committees in the Netherlands, such as the EDI Working group at IPN.
A way of working
Looking ahead, the team is focused on embedding diversity into the fabric of the department. “This isn’t just about minorities,” says Anja. “It’s about everyone. Those with more privileges can and should act as allies to drive change.” With the NWO award in hand, they are motivated to push forward with their mission. Plans for the next three years include workshops on authenticity in the workplace, panel discussions between students and professors, and continued outreach. Mchedlidze envisions a future where diversity is a natural part of work culture: “By 2040, I hope the university becomes a space where everyone, not just women, feels empowered to share and grow.”