So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu to Ada Lovelace Day Live

Ada Lovelace Day, 9 October 2018, at the IET.

Photography by Tracy Howl, sponsored by Clarivate. Via Paul Clarke on Flickr.

I've just read the news that the long-running Ada Lovelace Day and campaign is closing its doors. Founder, Suw Charman-Anderson explains the demise in a blog post over on Facebook. I hadn't realised how much DEI work in STEM in particular had closed. Alas, this is a sign of the times. I am sad that the term 'DEI - diversity, equality, inclusion' is now toxic. It's time to reframe it so we can do the same work without the baggage that some associate with the term. Just because large corporates are dismantling their DEI efforts, it doesn't mean the work is over.

As for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), yes it's important. But it's even better if you add the A for Art to make STEAM. I'd rather be steaming ahead than a wilting stem. Maybe that's a personal bias given my passion for the arts as well as technology. I'd like to think it's more about having well-rounded people creating and managing systems, processes and software that humans can actually use. There is an art to most science, no?

And as for events, it's a tough time. Without question, live business events have not recovered fully post-pandemic. There is a whole generation of workers who started their work life in 'work-from-home' mode and never experienced the benefits of learning by osmosis by being with the right people in the room. And more so, they have not had the same exposure to live knowledge and networking events early enough in their careers.

Don't get me wrong, working remotely can be great and I have routinely worked this way for 20 years. Most of that time, however, I was also going to networking events, probably at least two a month. And at times, it was probably two a week in the early noughties. Networking in person was crucial for me to build my network and to learn from others - not just from speakers or panellists, but the other people in attendance.

It feels like everything has become more transactional - I do this for you and you do this for me in return. Unfortunately, real life and work are not like that. The returns you get for spending time developing relationships in business and/or spending time learning may take many years to reap rewards. Those who view networking as purely transactional are missing the point. It's not who you know, it's who knows you. It's about building your personal brand. It's about learning from others. It's about developing your communication skills.

So yes, I'm sad that Ada Lovelace Day is the latest to close its doors, but I can't say I'm surprised. I also think it's important to recognise that knowing when to quit is also a great skill and a huge challenge - more so when your work is mission-led.

I hope we'll see a future iteration of ALD and wish Suw Charman-Anderson every success in whatever comes next.