Diversity

Diversity at ITU

"Digitalisation affects everyone, and therefore it is essential that IT developers can acquaint themselves with the needs of the entire group when developing the technologies of the future. Researchers have found that there is greater creativity and productivity in workplaces with a more equal gender distribution. Finally, it is essential that more women gravitate toward fields within IT if we are to have a chance of living up to the labour market's massive demand for IT specialists in the next few years.

"We want to put paid to the prejudice that men are better at IT, so that the entire pool of talent can enter the scene in the future.

"There are excellent career opportunities within IT, for women as well. Furthermore, a more equal gender distribution is beneficial for both the working environment and the innovation out in the companies, because it gives you various perspectives on issues."

- Mads Tofte, Vice Chancellor

Code of Conduct

The IT University of Copenhagen strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. In the interest of fostering an environment characterized by equality and respect, students should not behave in a way that offends, intimidates and is hostile, degrading or humiliating to others.

This Code of Conduce applies to all activities taking place on ITU facilities and digital learning spaces (LearnIT), as well as to ITU related social functions that might take place elsewhere such as conferences, happy hours, holiday parties and holiday trips.

Approval and Evaluation

The Code of Conduct was approved by the Study Board on the 21st of August 2018 and takes effect immediately. The Study Board will together with the Head of Studies review and evaluate the Code of conduct in September 2019.

This Code of Conduct is partially adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 1.4, available at https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4/code-of-conduct.html

An open and accountable study environment

Examples of behavior that contributes to creating a positive environment include:

Using welcoming and inclusive language
Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
Focusing on what is best for the community

Examples of unacceptable behavior include:

Sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, violence or violent behavior of any kind
Publishing others' private information, such as a physical or electronic address, without explicit permission
Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

Discrimination and harassment - where to report

In case of sexual harassment, read ITU's sexual harassment policy for information on how and where to report.

Any case of discrimination and harassment, based on gender, age, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin and that is not covered by ITU's sexual harassment policy may be reported.

Students should turn to the student counselors (studentadvisors@itu.dk or +42 7218 5240) to report instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise discriminatory behavior from other students or from staff members. Students are encouraged to contact the counselors as early as they feel comfortable. Complaints filed by students will be reported to the Head of Studies. Students can also contact the Head of Studies, Stine Gotved (gotved@itu.dk or +45 7218 5321), directly with a complaint if they so prefer.

The complaints can be filed anonymously if necessary. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that is deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstances. The Head of Studies has the responsibility to handle the issues.

The Student Counselors and Head of Studies are obligated to maintain confidentiality with regard to the reporter of an incident.

Positive action

Please note that certain cases of positive discrimination (or affirmative action) are allowed and regulated by the Danish law through a statutory instrument, the Executive Order on initiatives to promote gender equality (Access to Equal Opportunities Initiatives Without Exemption). When a group of people is particularly underrepresented in an activity or field, initiatives to counter inequality are encouraged. According to § 2 of the executive order, "it is legal to establish courses etc. for one sex, if it promotes equality between men and women". This applies for example to specific activities such as the IT Camp for Girls organized by ITU.

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Gender distribution among students

Gender distribution among scientific staff

Professional Network

Gender Diversity in IT

The IT University of Copenhagen has promoted the creation of a network of professionals and decision makers from the Danish IT business sector, universities and other relevant institutions in order to actively and effectively address the current gender imbalance in IT. Members of the network see themselves as change makers. They exchange knowledge, map current challenges and share best practices on how to achieve a significant increase in women's participation in IT education, employment and leadership. The value of this network comes from the knowledge produced by its members from diverse fields of the Danish society, resulting in new and innovative practices to effectively close the gender gap.

The network was established in 2017 by ITU's Head of Studies, Lene Pries-Heje. Participation is by inviation only. To learn more, contact wit@itu.dk.

From niche to mainstream

Increasing Gender Diversity in Computer Science

Starting from the spring 2018, over a period of three years, the IT University of Copenhagen will launch a series of new activities that will give young women an introduction to programming and the excellent career opportunities within IT.

The university will, among other things, offer coding cafés, organize tech career days and launch a campaign with female role models from the IT industry. In continuation of this, ITU will continue to host IT camps during the Easter and autumn holidays. The target group of the initiatives is young women who are attending high school or on sabbatical after high school, and the first activities are already starting up this spring. The project has received DKK 2.8 million in funding from the VILLUM FONDEN and will run for three years.