History of the promotion of women

The promotion of women (in German: Frauenförderung, short FF) at the Department of Computer Science (D-INFK) at ETH Zurich started as an informal group and gradually developed into an institutionalised organisation. Today, it consists of dedicated members and regularly organises events to support young talent and promote women in computer science studies.

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The promotion of women at D-INFK has its origins in the early 1990s. It arose from the need to address the very low proportion of women in computer science studies. The figures were particularly stark among first-year students: in 1993, there was only one woman among 240 new students, corresponding to a female share of just 0.4%. This low point motivated scientific staff representatives to approach the department and request support for a group for promotion of women. Their goal was to raise awareness of computer science studies among schoolgirls while also enabling networking among the few women students.

The following timeline shows key stages of the promotion of women at D-INFK – from the initial ideas and initiatives in the early 1990s to its current form as an active network. It documents how a pressing need developed into a sustainable structure that, over more than three decades, has provided important impetus for greater visibility, equal opportunities and support for young talent in computer science.

Timeline

1989

Portrait of Carl-August Zehnder — Prof. Carl August Zehnder, pioneer of the FF at D-INFK. Photo: ETH Library

Prof. Carl August Zehnder, co-founder of the Department of Computer Science and pioneer of computer science promotion, proposes regular coffee meetings between women computer science students and women doctoral students, and the faculty. These were intended to facilitate exchange, foster networking and create targeted support – laying the foundation for later FF initiatives.

1991

Both within the Department of Computer Science and across ETH, the topic of promoting women is gaining importance. Prof. Walter Gander, then Abteilungsvorsteher (comparable today to the Director of Studies) at D-INFK, recognises the need to make computer science more visible and to attract more students – especially women – to the field. He writes a brochure for the Kontaktparty (now the largest academic IT recruiting fair in Switzerland) in October, in which he emphasises the importance of promoting women. At the same time, external page Katharina von Salis from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences initiates an ETH-wide survey that highlights the desire for more women professors. She successfully presents her findings to the Directorate, strengthening the call for structural support of women at ETH Zurich.

1992

Portrait of Walter Gander — Prof. Walter Gander recognises the need to attract more women to the field. Photo: Walter Gander

On 6 May, Walter Gander gives a talk titled “What is Computer Science” at a conference for high school teachers. This speech is later published in the NZZ. In it, he addresses the modernisation of teaching and the targeted promotion of women in computer science. Shortly afterwards, he calls on secondary school principals in a letter to actively encourage girls to pursue the subject. As part of the "Maturity Ordinance Revision" (in German: Maturitätsverordnungs-Revision, short MAV-Revision), it is decided that programming will no longer be a standalone subject but rather taught across disciplines – despite opposition from Walter Gander and ETH Rector external page Hans von Gunten. That same year, Gander organises the first orientation day specifically for women high school students.

Download Lecture "What is Computer Science" (PDF, 172 KB) (in German, Walter Gander, 06.05.1992)

Article "Are pupils becoming mere computer users? A questionable paradigm shift in computer science education" (in German, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 25.06.1992)

1993 - Milestone

At the Department of Computer Science, the initiative for the promotion of women, the "Frauenförderung", is established. At this time, it still operates as an informal initiative and is driven by committed scientific staff members who advocate for long-term, institutional support for women in computer science.

1994

Enlarged view: Cover image of the first brochure for the computer science study week. — Cover image of the first brochure for the computer science study week. Image: Andrea Kennel / D-INFK, ETH Zurich

The FF organises its first study week for women high school graduates, featuring workshops and lectures on computer science. This week forms the foundation for today’s Trial Study.

Download First computer science study week for women high school students (PDF, 27.7 MB) (in German, 20 to 25 March 1994)

1996

On the initiative of the Department of Computer Science, the “Women High School Students Days” (in German: Mittelschülerinnentage) are introduced: women students from the German-speaking part of Switzerland are given the opportunity to spend a day at ETH Zurich and get to know the department and the computer science degree programme. With this event, the department aims to counter the common misconception that studying computer science is mainly about learning programming languages. The event is later institutionalised across ETH (now known as the Information Days) and makes a significant contribution to the recruitment of future students.

1999 - Milestone

The scientific staff representatives request the formal institutionalisation of the FF. Prof. external page Jürg Nievergelt provides significant support for this initiative. The FF is officially recognised, financially secured and the leadership team receives credit points. Additionally, the first one-week “Trial Study” programme in computer science for women high school students takes place, featuring programming courses, study information and insights into research.

2000

At the departmental level, a dedicated website for the promotion of women is established. It serves as an information platform and discussion forum, designed for a broad audience. In the same year, the article “Experiences and reflections on the promotion of women in computer science” by Nora Sleumer (then co-leader of the FF) and Jürg Nievergelt is published – an early contribution reflecting on the development and significance of the initiative.

Download Article “Experiences and reflections on the promotion of women in computer science” (PDF, 59 KB) (in German, Nora Sleumer, Jürg Nievergelt, 23.12.2000)

2001 - Milestone

A member of Frauenförderung receives the “Ritter der Kommunikation” award. — A member of the FF receives the “Ritter der Kommunikation” award. Photo: Frauenförderung D-INFK

Prof. Ueli Maurer takes over the leadership of the promotion of women, supported by Werner Hartmann, senior assistant at D-INFK. In the same year, the project "FF at ETH Zurich" is honoured at the national "Knight of Communication" (in German: Ritter der Kommunikation) competition with both a prize and the "Girls and ICT" (in German: Mädchen und ICT) Sponsorship Award – a recognition of their contribution to digital equality of opportunity.

external page Press release "The President of the Confederation awards the "Knight of Communication" Prize 2001" (in German)

2005

Prof. Friedemann Mattern becomes the new leader of Frauenförderung. — Prof. Friedemann Mattern becomes the new leader of the FF.

Werner Hartmann steps down as Deputy Head of the promotion of women and leaves ETH Zurich. From June 2005, Professor Friedemann Mattern takes over responsibility for the initiative. The focus of his tenure is the targeted outreach to prospective women students – including school visits, informational materials and cooperation with mathematics teachers.

2009

CSNOW — The co-leaders Christina Pöpper and Adrian Altenhoff are driving forces behind the development of the promotion of women at D-INFK. Photo: Frauenförderung D-INFK

In March, the promotion of women initiative takes part in the 5th European Symposium on Gender & ICT at the University of Bremen. Adrian Altenhoff and Christina Pöpper present their peer-reviewed article “What drives young women to study computer science in Switzerland? Experiences on promoting computer science studies for female high school graduates.” Around this time, the initiative’s perspective also broadens: the goal is no longer only to inspire more women to pursue computer science studies, but also to adapt institutional structures accordingly.

Download Article ”What drives young women to study computer science in Switzerland? Experiences on promoting computer science studies for female high school graduates” (PDF, 372 KB) (Christina Pöpper, Adrian Altenhoff, January 2009)

2011

Portrait Olga Sorkine-Hornung — Prof. Olga Sorkine-Hornung is the new head of the FF. Image: Scholtysik for D-INFK /ETH Zurich

After eight years, Prof. Friedemann Mattern hands over the leadership to Prof. Olga Sorkine-Hornung. During his tenure, he consistently defended the initiative against both internal and external resistance, thereby ensuring its continuity.

2012 - Milestone

With support from the Communication and Marketing Group at D-INFK, the print materials of the promotion of women initiative are revised and aligned with ETH's and the department’s design. The term “Forum for Women in Computer Science” becomes established for public outreach.

2013

With the growing interest in mobile apps, a new tutorial for Android programming is introduced in the Trial Study programme – developed by student assistants.

2016 - Milestone

New logo of CSNOW. Image: CSNOW

The network launches under its new name, “CSNOW – Network of Women in Computer Science,” accompanied by a fresh logo – marking a comprehensive rebranding of the promotion of women initiative at D-INFK.

News article "Forum for Women in Computer Science becomes CSNOW" (CSNOW, 31.10.2016)

Photo gallery "Launch of "Network of Women in Computer Science"" (CSNOW, 02.11.2016)

2019

The Trial Study programme reaches a new record with 40 participants. More women students than ever before take the opportunity to gain insight into studying computer science at ETH Zurich – a clear sign of the programme’s growing reach and appeal.

2020

Prof. Julia Vogt takes over the leadership of the FF from Prof. Olga Sorkine-Hornung after her eight-year tenure. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second Trial Study programme of the year takes place entirely online for the first time, albeit in a shortened format.

Interview “Women are just as good as men at computer science” with Professor Olga Sorkine-Hornung and doctoral student Lara Schmid (D-INFK News, 24.01.2020)

2023 - Milestone

CSNOW celebrates its 30th anniversary – a milestone for the promotion of women in computer science at ETH Zurich.

One year after the official anniversary, the celebratory event marking 30 years of promoting women in computer science at D-INFK takes place in spring 2024. Around 80 guests attend – including alumnae, students, researchers, and long-time companions of the initiative. The event offers space for reflection and exchange: with talks by renowned experts, a panel discussion and a networking apéro, past achievements are honoured and the focus is set on the future. As a special recognition, CSNOW also receives second place that same year in the ETH Diversity Award in the “Groups and Organisations” category – an honour that highlights its long-standing commitment to equal opportunities and the visibility of women in computer science.

CSNOW, finalists for the Diversity Award, category “Organisation/Group”. On the left: Miriam Filippi from AVETH and Hanna Wolf, ETH Diversity. Photo: Stefan Schneller / ETH Zurich

Co-leads – dedicated since 1993

For over 30 years, committed students have shaped the promotion of women at D-INFK – with creativity, perseverance and team spirit. Our overview of co-leads from 1993 to today highlights the people who have contributed to this development.

See overview of co-leads

Further information

Note and acknowledgement

This historical account of the founding and development of the FF at D-INFK is based on available documents as well as conversations with contemporary witnesses. Special thanks go to Prof. em. Walter Gander, Prof. em. Friedemann Mattern, Dr Andrea Kennel and the current CSNOW team for their valuable contributions.

We welcome additions, suggestions or corrections at: communications@inf.ethz.ch.

As of: 23.06.2025