Changing attitudes and refocusing for gender parity
Professor Dame Athene Donald has a long track record of advocating for women in STEM.
She spoke to us about refocusing wider participation initiatives to achieve gender parity without lowering admission criteria, ahead of her keynote address at this year’s WISE Conference.
When did you first become interested in engineering?
At 14, I joined my school’s Arduino club, where we worked on projects using this microcontroller that has an easy-to-use physical circuit board and accompanying software. Each week, we worked on different projects and these problem-solving experiences ignited my passion for software development.
I then studied International Game Architecture and Design in Breda, The Netherlands, focusing on programming. Through project-based learning, I collaborated with artists and designers, and utilised a variety of engines to develop games. During my final year, I interned at Playground Games, where I had the opportunity to contribute to Forza Horizon 5. I was then offered a permanent role within Playground Games and have now been with the company for nearly 4 years, working towards a senior engineer role.
What does your role at Playground Games involve?
My role includes a wide variety of responsibilities. Being a Tools Engineer means I work on the game engine used by the art and design teams to create the game, Forza Horizon 5. If a new feature is requested, I gather requirements, determine potential solutions, gather feedback, and finally implement the solution. We also maintain our existing tools and features, resolving bugs and improving their functionality. For me, I enjoy solving the interesting problems that games present the most, which requires creativity from the whole team.
How can leaders improve gender parity in tech?
Creating opportunities for everyone, no matter their abilities or level, will enable their confidence to grow. I also think sharing more insights about what software engineering in the gaming industry looks like will demonstrate how people can help shape the future of this industry.
Playground Games works hard to increase diversity and representation in our studios and within gaming by doing all this and more. I am part of Women@PG, a group where we can get together to share experiences, learn from each other, and work on improved gender parity through different initiatives.
For aspiring game developers, I would recommend participating in game jams to build your portfolio, acquire new skills, boost confidence, and network with fellow creators. The game industry is an amazing industry to work in, everyone is very welcoming, supportive, and inclusive no matter your background.
You say in your talk summary that inclusion needs to work for everyone. What are the most important things that both genders can do to support women in the STEM workplace?
Be aware of where bias is creeping in and watch out for where poor behaviour may be impacting on the ability of others to have confidence or to act, and then challenge that behaviour. Systemic change takes time, but ignoring problems because they feel ‘too difficult’ will only hinder progress.
However junior you may be, at least you can offer support to a victim. With seniority comes more opportunity to input into processes and directly call out poor behaviour or systematic problems.
Allyship means coming together, being supportive and producing a collective voice for change. Change is not just something for women to effect: it most certainly requires male buy-in and action.
What are you most looking forward to about the WISE conference?
There is always a buzz in the room when people committed to change come together.
Sharing experiences of what has worked and what has not is invaluable in making the future different and better. I hope to refresh my thinking at the conference.
Dame Athene will be giving the keynote address at the WISE Conference 2025, which takes place on 30 September at IET London: Savoy Place.
Focusing on the theme of accelerating the pace of change for women in STEM, the event is open to all.