Who is designing our digital future?
In her TEDxOulu talk earlier this year, Professor Minna Isomursu shared a personal journey that challenges common stereotypes about IT careers.
Growing up, Isomursu was inspired by her grandmother’s kindness and care for farm animals. Her environment seemed to steer her towards a caring profession like nursing or teaching. She surprised everyone by choosing a career in IT — a field often seen as technical and impersonal.
Isomursu called attention to the need for compassionate and empathetic professionals in the IT sector. Tech innovators are not just coders or engineers; they are the architects of our digital future. They wield significant influence over essential aspects of modern life—from healthcare management to media consumption.
Isomursu points out a significant problem: the IT sector’s lack of diversity. She attributes it to both outdated stereotypes and systemic barriers. The often inhospitable environment encountered by individuals who don’t conform to traditional IT stereotypes perpetuates a lack of diversity. It potentially limits the sector’s capacity to create truly inclusive and user-centric technologies.
In her TED talk, Isomursu noted that at IT conferences, she is often one of the few women present. Just one in 100 girls in Europe is expected to work in an IT-related occupation. The field is male-dominated.
Increasing diversity in IT aligns with broader discussions about STEM education. STEM occupations are projected to grow significantly, with many jobs offering higher salaries and job satisfaction than non-STEM roles. For instance, STEM workers can earn 12-30% more than their non-STEM counterparts. As automation and technology evolve, promoting STEM education is crucial for preparing a workforce capable of adapting to new challenges and innovations. In Finland, a government report highlights that the relatively low number of higher education graduates in STEM fields is a significant bottleneck to innovation in the country.
In 2024, National STEM/STEAM Day falls on a Friday, providing an excellent opportunity for schools and communities to engage in meaningful STEM activities and discussions.
Isomursu envisions an IT profession that is more inclusive and supportive of diversity. She proposes three actions to help achieve this goal:
- Make IT degree programmes more attractive.
Many IT programmes are designed by all-male panels, failing to address the interests of young women. Involving women in the design of these programmes can make them more appealing. - Make IT jobs more accessible.
The work environment in IT can be unwelcoming. By promoting women as role models and ensuring their visibility in job interviews and leadership positions, we can encourage more women to pursue IT careers. - Create inclusive workplaces.
Everyone can contribute to a more inclusive environment by listening to those in the minority and supporting their participation in discussions and decision-making processes.
Isomursu asserts that diverse teams create better products and are more financially successful. The slow pace of change, with gender gaps projected to take 131 years to close, means active efforts are required now. She urges parents, teachers, employers, and colleagues to embrace diversity and support all children in realising their potential in shaping our digital future.
“With kind and caring people involved, we can get a more kind and caring future,” voices Isomursu. Without diversity, we risk perpetuating biases and missing out on the benefits of a genuinely inclusive digital world.
Watch the TEDxOulu talk ‘Who is designing our digital future?’ by Professor Minna Isomursu.