Women in Computing Workshop

5^th Workshop on Women* in Computing
Finding Balance – Juggling Obligations, Working Domains, Work & Life

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 in Berlin

After overwhelmingly positive feedback to our fourth event last year, we are delighted to announce the fifth Workshop on Women* in Computing!

In this half-day workshop, we focus on how to find balance, which includes balance between work and life, (mental) health, and juggling multiple obligations. We have invited a selected number of successful researchers from industry and academia who will take the stage to share their perspectives and unique insights into their careers and research domains. With this event, we aim to foster mentorship in career development for young (female) researchers by establishing and strengthening a network of Women* in Computing.

This is an event about, from and with women in computing, but by no means exclusively "for" them. All are welcome!

Agenda

Preliminary program, details might change until the workshop:

11:00	Discussions on the Workshop Series (SFB-internal)
11:45	Registration and welcome (with snacks)
12:00	Opening
12:15	Flash introductions
13:00	Talk session I - Neha Kumar - Giulia Barbareschi
14:30	Coffee break
15:00	Talk session II - Carla De Angelis - Ghada Helal
16:30	Coffee break
17:00	Group activity
18:00	Closing
18:30–22:00	Evening Program

Invited Speakers

Carla De Angelis

Ecolab

Finding Your Balance: Evolving Priorities in Work, Life, and Motherhood

Short bio ▼

Carla De Angelis is a Director of Digital solutions for Ecolab, a US Multinational, based in Vienna. Born and raised in Venezuela, half Italian by birth, having lived in five countries and being fluent in Spanish, English, and Danish (with working German), she describes herself as a “citizen of the world”. She has two decades of experience in technology and digital transformation across global organizations, built an international life and career spanning Europe, the United States, and Latin America, and is mother to a 2-year old. As a former professional ballet dancer she brings discipline, resilience, and creativity into her leadership style. Guided by her personal motto, “If you want change, you start that change,” she is passionate about empowering women in technology and demonstrating that leadership can be both results-driven and deeply human.

Neha Kumar

Georgia Tech, USA, SIGCHI President

Giulia Barbareschi

University of Duisburg-Essen

The wisdom I did (not) learn about managing my life in academia

Ghada Helal

Dematic GmbH

Coding a Home: Finding Equilibrium in the 50/50 Luck Algorithm

Abstract ▼

In IT, we always strive for system stability. Today, my own life has reached a rare state of symmetry—The 50/50 Point. My time abroad now equals my time in my home country. This balance didn't happen by a fixed algorithm; it was 'coded' through luck, persistence, and a decade of building a community for women just like me. Here is how I debugged the challenges of work-life balance to build a life that truly scales.

Workshop Participation

Sign-up is mandatory as there are limited spots. While registration is accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis, members of SFB-TRR 161 and research unit L2S will be given priority. This workshop is commonly fully booked, so please only register if you plan to attend. Early registration closed on 19th April 2026 at midnight. The remaining spots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Final registration closes on 3rd May at midnight (with confirmation mails until 4th May).

Registration form: https://forms.gle/2cppD6NZNjQ6r6qV7

Event Location

The workshop will take place in Hardenbergstraße 16-18, 10623 Berlin. This is only a short walk from the station Zoologischer Garten. Berlin is very easy to reach by public transportation (plane, train or bus), bike, or car.

The full details and hotel recommendations will be shared with you in your registration confirmation. If you need the information beforehand, please contact us.