Welcoming Alicia and Raghda to the ACM-W Global Chapters Team
This month, we welcome two new members to the ACM-W Global Chapters Committee: Alicia and Raghda. They joined that team to strengthen their focus on supporting the creation and celebration of student and professional ACM-W chapters.
Alicia Julia Wilson Takaoka has a PhD in social informatics and human-computer interaction. As a postdoctoral researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Alicia works in AI and inclusion for the energy transition. This work aligns with her mission of amplifying marginalized values, indigenous knowledge, and personal stories as data for decision-making and the digital landscape.
Alicia’s community-driven methodology has inspired innovative chapter support concepts, such as podcasts, zine parties, and planned “One Hour of Code” events, fostering valuable connections within the computing community. Alicia will be working on Chapter outreach and activities to connect chapters across borders, spearheading innovative chapter development and resource creation initiatives, informed by her experience at ACM Women Trondheim and ACM Women Europe.
Dr Raghda Zahran will lead strategic outreach and engagement initiatives within our international chapter network, capitalising on her being based both in the UK and the USA to facilitate continental connections. Raghda’s credentials as a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), IT Project Manager, and Advance HE Senior Fellow provide the Global Chapters Committee with both academic and leadership expertise.
Her international experiences, mobility, and proficiency in different communication platforms enable efficient coordination with chapters in different time zones and cultural environments. Her strategic approach to constructing democratic, collaborative spaces aligns seamlessly with ACM-W’s aim to foster inclusive environments that support women and celebrate their success in computing.
Welcome to the team, Raghda and Alicia! We are looking forward to working with you to create more impactful and inclusive environments for women in the global technology landscape.