Women in Data Science
Known as “WiDS,” the Women in Data Science initiative was launched at Stanford University in 2015 with a one-day technical conference featuring outstanding women doing outstanding work in the field. Soon after, volunteer ambassadors took WiDS around the world by organizing similar conferences in their communities under the WiDS umbrella. As the WiDS community grew, we added additional year-round programming in education, innovation, and leadership to strengthen community connections and support, educate, and inspire women everywhere.
WiDS (Women in Data Science) envisions a future where women are fully integrated and represented in all areas of Data Science, and share equally in decision-making, economic prosperity, and opportunities.
WiDS Stanford integrates and builds on that mission at Stanford University, with Stanford Data Science as a platform for elevating women doing data-intensive science research.
WiDS Worldwide
Read more about the spin-out of an independent WiDS Worldwide in our press release.
The annual WiDS programming now includes 200+ conferences and events around the world, a global datathon, a podcast series, a WiDS Academy with upskilling workshops and the Next-Gen outreach program, and an upskilling platform for career and training opportunities. WiDS Worldwide programs reach over 150,000 participants each year in more than 160 countries. Since 2023, WiDS Worldwide is a fiscally-sponsored project under Community Initiatives, with continued strong collaboration and partnership with WiDS Stanford.
