ACM & CS-CAN INFO Annual Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing Conference (CAN-CWIC)
CAN-CWiC is the premiere Canadian computing conference for young women and non-binary people in technology. This annual event has been offered since 2011 and features networking, learning, sharing and mentoring. CAN-CWiC embodies the mission of encouraging curiosity and awareness for the digital innovations that change the community and world around us. Bringing together leaders in research, education and industry from across Canada. Get inspired by stories from women who have been there and done that and how they succeeded.
If you are a student interested in attending contact your department chair as they may coordinate the attendance of a number of students in your department. You can also register yourself via this website registration portal (opens in early spring).
Venue & Accommodations
The event will be held at the York University Second Student Centre in Toronto.
Students
If your school is participating in CAN-CWiC, it will provide the opportunity for some sponsored students to attend the event and will arrange and pay for your transportation (by bus or air) and accommodation (on the 25th). If you are not a sponsored student, you can still register yourself via the Registration Form and if you are a student in the below noted areas, you will be able to get a seat on the bus. If you are not in one of these areas, then you will then be responsible for your own transportation. CAN-CWiC is arranging for bus transportation for students from Quebec (leaving from Montreal) and Ontario (only from outside the GTA – leaving from Scarborough, Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, Windsor, Kitchener, and Waterloo). The buses leave on the morning of the 25th, drop you off at the hotel, and drive you back to your school on the 26st. Your department chair will have information on the bus schedule. If you are from outside Quebec or Ontario, you need to arrange transportation either through your department contact or by yourself.
Not A Student
We have booked a block of rooms at the Novotel for all faculty. Novotel Toronto North York Hotel 3 Park Home Avenue, Toronto. You can make a reservation at 416.733.2929 using block number #1750661.
The room rate is $190 plus tax. Please make sure to charge the room to your own credit card as the block has been secured with the CSCAN corporate card. UOIT and UfT Scarborough students will also be staying at the hotel. Students from other schools will not and are being routed to other hotels across North York. The hotel is about a 10 minute drive from the York University Second Student Centre
Accommodation
If you are arriving by bus or air, then your registration will include one night accommodation (on the 25th). CAN-CWiC will arrange and confirm your hotel accommodation once you have registered for the conference. Your hotel room will be guaranteed double occupancy (randomly assigned to either one King or two Queen) and you will share the room with another student of the same gender, in most cases, you have the option to be matched up with a person of your choice. All your food and beverages, including the Friday, October 25th CAN-CWIC Banquet, are included in your registration fee. Also, if you are arriving by bus, it will shuttle you between your hotel and the conference facilities. See your conference registration confirmation for more details.
Friday Evening Event
On Friday, October 25th all registered students will have an opportunity to attend the amazing CAN-CWiC reception and event. There are fun photo booths and we have some amazing keynote speakers lined up. It’s a great opportunity to dress up, enjoy some food and drinks, mingle, meet other students from across Canada and have fun evening of food and entertainment.
Chairs
Maleknaz Nayebi
Associate Professor Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
York University
Steering Committee Members
Joanne Atlee
Professor
University of Waterloo
Kate Larson
Professor
Cheriton School of Computer Science
University of Waterloo
Andrea Bunt
(2023-2026)
Professor Department of Computer science University of Manitoba
Vlado Keselj
(2023-2026)
Professor in The School of Computer Science
Dalhousie University
Ouldooz Baghban Karimi
Lecturer, School of Computing Science
Simon Fraser University
Sheila McIlraith
Professor
Department of Computer Science
University of Toronto
Wendy Powley
Associate Professor
Queens University
CAN-CWIC Registration
Important: Please select the appropriate registration criteria from the options below. It is crucial to register under the correct category that accurately reflects your status. Registrations not aligned with the chosen criteria are subject to cancellation. We appreciate your attention to this detail to ensure a smooth registration process.
Interested in giving a Lightning Talk?
For more details and to submit your presentation, visit Celebration of Women in Computing – Lightning Talks. We will notify you by October 7, 2024, if your submission is selected.
Please Read Carefully The Options Before Choosing
Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing Conference Program Schedule
On a Bus?
Your bus is leaving at in the parking lot at 5:30 p.m. sharp!! Don’t be late!!!
On a Plane?
Check your flight time and make sure you can be on the hotel shuttle in time for your flight.
Hotel shuttle:
The hotel offers a complimentary 24-hour shuttle bus service.
• From the Hotel: Every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of the hour
• From the Airport: Every 30 minutes at 15 & 45 minutes after the hour
| Time | Room | Activity | Info |
| 3:00 pm. – 6:00 pm | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 12:00 – 5:00 pm | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
Saturday, October 21nd 7:30 am – 10:00 – Opening of the Conference
| Time | Room | Activity | Speaker |
| 7:30 am – 8:15 am | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 8:15 am – 8:30 am | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 9:00 am – 9:15 am | International Ballroom | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 9:15 am – 9:30 am | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| 9:30 am – 9:45 am | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
Saturday, October 21nd 10:00 am – 10:50 – Parallel Sessions (choose one)
| Room | Session Title | Speaker |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
| Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. | Full program schedule will become available in September. |
Saturday, October 21nd 11:00 am – 11:50 – Parallel Sessions (choose one)
| Room | Session Title | Speaker |
| Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September |
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch and Career Fair – Full program schedule will become available in September
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Faculty Mentoring Circles
Faculty Members Only: Grab lunch and join us for an opportunity for faculty to connect for peer-to-peer mentorship. Planned topics are: Academic Leadership Roles; Planning for Promotion; Teaching Track Faculty. Other topics may be added depending on attendee interest.
Academic Leadership
If you are interested in taking the path to become a leader in an academic institute and want to be familiar with the problems, challenges, and solutions, learning from the experiences of our mentors can be the best choice. Come with your questions and hear advice and stories from women who have walked the same path.
Tenure and Promotion
Join our mentoring circle for pre-tenure faculty, a supportive space where early-career academics connect with experienced mentors. Navigate the path to tenure with insights, advice, and a collaborative community dedicated to your professional growth in academia.
Teaching Professor
Engage with experienced educators who are ready to share insights, strategies, and stories about navigating the challenges and triumphs in the academic world. Bring your questions, and benefit from the collective wisdom of mentors who have walked a similar path. Join our teaching circle, where collaboration and shared experiences can enhance your journey as an educator and leader in academia.
2:00 pm – 2:50 – Parallel Sessions (choose one)
| Room | Session Title | Speaker |
| Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September |
| Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September |
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm – Parallel Sessions
| Room | Session Title | Speaker |
| Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September | Full program schedule will become available in September |
Women in Tech Leadership Panel Discussion
4:10 pm – 5:00 pm – Full program schedule will become available in September
Panel Session:
Moderated by: Full program schedule will become available in September
Speakers:
Leadership in Tech:
It can be difficult to think beyond the next internship, the first post-grad work placement, or the next promotion, but it is important to be more deliberate in one’s career choices. In this panel, we discuss different career trajectories in leadership in tech, with lots of time for questions from the audience.
Speakers List Profiles
Full speakers listing will become available in September.
Speaker List Profiles
Keynote Speakers
Parallel Session Speakers
Christina Fung
University of Toronto
Anne Marie Salter
Canadian Center for Cyber Security - Communications Security Establishment
Bethany Edmunds
Northeastern University
Banani Roy
University of Saskatchewan
Jennifer Chan
BMO
Joanne Atlee
University of Waterloo
FeiFei Han
Carnegie Mellon University
Jacqueline Smith
University of Toronto
Japnit Ahuja
Go Girl Organisation
Jodi Tims
Northeastern University
Kate McRoberts
University of Guelph
Mary Wittman
CGI
Wendy Powley
Queen's University
Ouldooz Baghban Karimi
Simon Fraser University
Raksha Kannan
BMO
Kelly Lyons
University of Toronto
Maria Merkulova
CGI
Maria Khan
CGI
Marwa El-Khatib
Morgan Stanley
Shital Desai
York University
Stefan Shetty
AWS
Sadia Sharmin
University of Toronto
Lightning Talk Speakers
Enas Aitarawneh
York University
Lorena Barreto
Concordia University
Mahzabeen Emu
Queen's University
Medha Muppala
University of Windsor
Mélisande Teng
MILA
Meriem Ben Chaaben
University of Montreal
Mouna Dhaouadi
University of Montreal
Parnian Eslamloo
University of Saskatchewan
Pooja Joshi
D2L
Pragya Bhandari
The University of British Columbia
Sandra Kumi
University of Saskatchewan
Shri Harini Ramesh
Carleton University
Somayeh Fatahi
University of Saskatchewan
Swati Goswami
The University of British Columbia
Wejdene Haouari
York University
Yan Yan
University of Guelph
Speakers List Profiles
Why CAN-CWiC is Your Ultimate Canvas
Showcase Brilliance
This is your moment to bring your innovation, hard work, and creativity to the forefront. Share your projects and achievements with a receptive audience that hungers for inspiration.
Energize Discourse
Engage in spirited discussions and steer conversations toward the next horizon of computing. Your input could be the spark that ignites new ideas and collaborations.
Ignite Connections
Forge connections with like-minded minds and potential collaborators. CAN-CWiC is a bustling hub of future computing leaders.
Elevate Your Profile:
Woven into a conference experience that fosters growth, CAN-CWiC provides a unique opportunity to bolster your professional standing. Your contribution will be recognized among the brightest minds in the computing sphere.
Deadline
Applications remain open until the stroke of midnight on September 30, 2024.
Session Length
Each lightning presentation on October 26 is slated for a 15 minute duration.
Seize The Spotlight:
Step forward into the limelight by expressing your interest through the form below. The CAN-CWiC Program Committee will curate an electrifying program that aligns with the conference’s essence, making every effort to accommodate as many remarkable sessions as possible. We will notify you the second week of October if your presentation made it into the program.
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Become a beacon of inspiration at the 2024 Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing – where your voice, your insights, and your journey shape the next generation of computing excellence.
Ignite curiosity. Fuel progress. Spark connections. Join us at CAN-CWiC 2024.
Please Register For Your Lightning Talk
For more Info Contact:
Gina van Dalen, Executive Director, CS-CAN|INFO-CAN
Call For Presentations
Unveil Your Expertise & Knowledge at Canada's Premier Conference for Emerging Computing Minds!
Do you possess an enthralling academic research endeavor craving a spotlight among fellow burgeoning computer scientists? Are you eager to unravel a riveting real-world case study from your journey in the corporate or non-profit realms? Brace yourself for the exceptional opportunity that awaits you at the 2023 Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing (CAN-CWiC). This is your stage to illuminate, captivate, and spark dialogues that resonate long after the event.
Our audience, a dynamic assembly of post-secondary students ranging from freshmen to accomplished graduates, is eagerly poised to absorb your insights.
Why CAN-CWiC is Your Ultimate Canvas
Showcase Brilliance
This is your moment to bring your innovation, hard work, and creativity to the forefront. Share your projects and achievements with a receptive audience that hungers for inspiration.
Energize Discourse
Engage in spirited discussions and steer conversations toward the next horizon of computing. Your input could be the spark that ignites new ideas and collaborations.
Ignite Connections
Forge connections with like-minded minds and potential collaborators. CAN-CWiC is a bustling hub of future computing leaders.
Elevate Your Profile:
Woven into a conference experience that fosters growth, CAN-CWiC provides a unique opportunity to bolster your professional standing. Your contribution will be recognized among the brightest minds in the computing sphere.
Deadline
Applications remain open until the stroke of midnight on September 30, 2024.
Session Length
Each parallel presentation on October 26 is slated for an engaging 45-minute duration, allowing ample time for immersive insights and vibrant exchanges.
Note on Participation Compensation:
Participation in this captivating journey is a voluntary endeavour, an investment in your personal growth and in nurturing the future of computing. While monetary compensation isn’t part of the equation, the intrinsic rewards of knowledge sharing and community engagement are boundless.
Seize the Spotlight:
Step forward into the limelight by expressing your interest through the form below. The CAN-CWiC Program Committee will curate an electrifying program that aligns with the conference’s essence, making every effort to accommodate as many remarkable sessions as possible. We will notify you the first week of October if your presentation made it into the program.
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Become a beacon of inspiration at the 2024 Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing – where your voice, your insights, and your journey shape the next generation of computing excellence.
Ignite curiosity. Fuel progress. Spark connections. Join us at CAN-CWiC 2024.
For more information contact:
Gina van Dalen, Executive Director, CS-CAN|INFO-CAN
Sponsorship
Thank you for your interest in the 14th Celebration of Women in Computing Conference (CAN-CWiC)
CAN-CWiC provides an excellent opportunity to connect with hundreds of female computing students from across the country.
Sponsorship Benefits:
CAN-CWIC is funded by sponsorship by industry, government and universities/colleges. Becoming a sponsor of the CAN-CWIC affords your organization the opportunity to:
- Influence and attract tomorrow’s computing professionals.
- Showcase your commitment to diversity.
- Provide opportunities for your technical women to develop leadership, mentor and network.
- Participate in the career fair.
- Promote your organization’s needs.
- Strengthen relationships with participating universities, scope out potential collaborations.
- Support a program that improves the climate for the sector at large.
- Academic Sponsorship - recruit Graduate Students.
Statistics from 2023:
CAN-CWIC is funded by sponsorship by industry, government and universities/colleges. Becoming a sponsor of the CAN-CWIC affords your organization the opportunity to:
- 650 attendees.
- Over 35 organizations attended.
- 30+ institution were represented from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
- Over 30 sponsors.
- 100% of sponsor funding went towards supporting students allowing them to attend the event.
- 25 amazing lightning talks.
- 3 awards presented through our partnership with NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award.
- 30 booths at the job fair.
CAN-CWiC is 75% funded through sponsorship by industry, government, universities and colleges.
All funds are used to support student participation. Sponsorship allows CAN-CWiC to offer highly subsidized fees for students to attend all presentations, panels and workshops, participate by giving talks or presenting posters, network with other attendees and attend the career fair and banquet. Thanks to our sponsors, we are also able to provide overnight accommodation, and, in many cases, transportation for students.
Sponsor Packages and Intent to Sponsor Form
Information for Sponsors
Sponsorship Terms
To-Date Confirmed Sponsors
