Purdue News

August 21, 2002 Noted authority on computing gender gap will appear at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Allan Fisher, computer scientist and educator, will make a presentation Sept. 9 at Purdue on the many influences contributing to the gender gap in computer science. Fisher's presentation, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1:30 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 214 C-D, and will be followed at 2:30 p.m. by a book signing. "Unlocking the Clubhouse," the book Fisher co-authored with social scientist Jane Margolis, is based on research done at Carnegie Mellon University over a period of four years. The authors investigate the familial, educational and institutional origins of the computing gender gap. The book also describes educational reforms that have made a dramatic difference at Carnegie Mellon, where the percentage of women entering the School of Computer Science rose from 7 percent in 1995 to 42 percent in 2000. Fisher is the former associate dean for undergraduate education in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon, and is now president and CEO of Carnegie Technology Education, a Carnegie Mellon company. CONTACT: Pat Morgan, Department of Computer Sciences administrative assistant, (765) 494-5322, pam@cs.purdue.edu. Writer: Chad Boutin, (765) 494-2081, cboutin@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page