Known as “WiDS”, 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.
Our global community takes part in 200+ events around the world and a global datathon each year. The community has access to upskilling workshops and educational resources that are used by instructors at higher-ed institutions in over 136 countries. Our NextGen program is expanding its reach to younger students through a vibrant network of collaborators. Our Career Catalyst platform provides a unique opportunity for the community to connect and build a network for career opportunities and mentoring discussions. WiDS Worldwide programs have upskilled and mentored over 150,000 participants in more than 160 countries. Since early 2023, WiDS Worldwide is a fiscally sponsored project under Community Initiatives, with continued strong collaboration and partnership with Stanford.
Our Mission
To cultivate the next generation of Data Science and AI leaders by providing resources for upskilling, networking, mentorship, and growth opportunities, from students to professionals.
Programs & Initiatives
WiDS Community Platform
The WiDS Community Platform empowers and celebrates women in data science globally. Elevate your skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and access exclusive programs and resources. Be part of a supportive network that values collaboration, respect, and visibility.
WiDS Datathon
The global and annual WiDS Datathon began in 2018, aiming to inspire women worldwide to learn more about data science by creating a supportive environment to hone their skills and connect with others in their community who share their interests. The WiDS Datathon is hosted on Kaggle, using a predictive analytics challenge focused on social impact. In the WiDS Datathon 2024, 91% of the participants surveyed were new to datathon competitions, and nearly 75% were women versus the usual of less than 20% in other Kaggle competitions.
WiDS Conferences
Our conferences and regional events worldwide attract tens of thousands of attendees in countries around the world every year, in-person and online. We have elevated thousands of women in academia, industry, government, and nonprofits doing innovative technical work around the world.
WiDS NextGen
The WiDS NextGen program strives to inspire secondary school students to take relevant courses and consider future careers involving data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and related areas. We particularly encourage younger women and girls to consider these STEM fields by showing examples of successful women in data science and related roles. We emphasize the real-world applications, as well as the societal and environmental impact of data science.
We’ve designed materials that are suitable for secondary school educators in mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, computers and more. These materials have also been made available to WiDS Ambassadors who would like to host a secondary school track at their WiDS regional events.
WiDS Career Catalyst
Unlock your career potential by connecting with industry professionals for advice. These informative conversations can help you build your network, gain valuable insights, and pave the way for your next career move. Schedule a conversation with practitioners in our global network to get advice.
WiDS Upskill Workshops
WiDS technical Upskilling Workshops aim to inspire, educate, and upskill data scientists and aspiring data scientists worldwide. WiDS Workshops educate everyone, regardless of gender, while inspiring women and girls with role model instructors. Workshops are free and open to everyone. You can find WiDS Workshops on YouTube.