When Nur Zincir-Heywood joined the Faculty of Computer Science in 2000, she was one of only two faculty members who were women. This gender disparity was evident among the student body as well.
Change was afoot in society at the time, though, and the nascent Faculty 鈥� just three years old at the time 鈥� was looking to welcome more women into its midst, too.听
鈥淲e wanted to increase our number of students in general, but in particular, students who identified as women,鈥� Dr. Zincir-Heywood explains. 鈥淎nd to be able to do that, we needed peer support. We needed role models. We needed mentorship. We needed people to feel that they belong so they can tell someone else to join them in a faculty where they will be supported.鈥�
From the beginning, the 10 per cent of female-identifying computer science students knew Dr. Zincir-Heywood鈥檚 office was a safe space. Students approached her about everything from discrimination they were facing to advice for how to interview for a co-op placement. She realized the students needed a group of peers they could rely on for support, comfort and a sense of belonging.
And so, in 2008, the (WiTS) was born.听
This week, WiTS celebrated Zincir-Heywood at its 2025 gala on March 6 with a new award created in her honour. The recognition came just days after she was appointed to the board of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) 鈥� an influential national body that works toward maximizing the strategic impact of Canada鈥檚 investments in scientific and engineering research.
听about Dr. Zincir-Heywood鈥檚 NSERC appointment.
鈥淚t's very easy for anyone who is in the minority, when they are at the receiving end of some kind of situation, to take it personally; to feel that they are alone, unfortunately,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t affects how much people feel they belong, and this sense of belonging is very important for our students, no matter what their gender is.鈥澨�
Dr. Zincir-Heywood, fourth from right, with current members of WiTS at the gala Thurday, March 6. (Submitted photo)
Led by students
For Dr. Zincir-Heywood, the society鈥檚 name speaks to its inclusive nature.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 called the Women in Technology Society and not Women in Computer Science Society because there might be many other people in other fields feeling a similar way, and we want this group to grow.鈥澨�
Dr. Zincir-Heywood became WiTS鈥檚 founding chair and started talking to her students in her classes and research labs to gauge interest. The grassroots approach ensured WiTS could organize programming and guest-speaker appearances that interested its members specifically.
If our students believe this is something good for them, they will continue and make it better and make it grow
鈥淔or me, it needed to be student-led from the beginning,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 will always be here to support their work, but really, it鈥檚 better if it comes directly from them.鈥澨�
She says this ensures the group stays relevant to what current students need and want, which is very different in 2025 than it was in 2008. 鈥淚t needs to evolve with the needs of our students. If our students believe this is something good for them, they will continue and make it better and make it grow.鈥澨�
Leaving the nest
Dr. Zincir-Heywood noticed WiTS growing more confident over the years, coming up with creative programming like potluck dinners and peer-to-peer mentorship.听
鈥淚 remember thinking over the years, yes I'm the founding chair, but the more they evolved the more they owned it,鈥� she says with a smile. 鈥淎nd you know, they would come and give me a heads up about an event or speaker, or even just to talk. And then they started flying all on their own. So, I kind of feel like the proud mother bird.鈥澨�
Current WiTS secretary and second-year computer science student Shruti Chaturvedi says she quickly learned about WiTS and its golden reputation once arriving at Dal.听
鈥淓verybody wants to be involved with WiTS,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such an inclusive environment for all students. And now, our faculty is much closer to gender equality but that only happened because WiTS was made.鈥�
Recognizing a champion for women
The inaugural Dr. Nur Zincir-Heywood Trailblazer Award recognizes all she has done to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in her Faculty. (In addition to WiTS, Dr. Zincir-Heywood is also a founding member of the Culture of Respect in Computer Science 鈥� CoReCS 鈥� Committee, which pursues similar priorities for faculty and staff.)
鈥淭hrough her vision, countless students have found guidance, encouragement, and a confidence to chase their dreams,鈥� said Eilish Bonang of Digital Nova Scotia鈥檚 at this week's WiTS gala. 鈥淗er influence on this community is immeasurable and tonight we want to honour her in a way that reflects her extraordinary contributions.鈥�
Her influence on this community is immeasurable
As she accepted the award, Zincir-Heywood surveyed the room full of women and gender-diverse attendees and said, 鈥淭wo decades ago, when I and my colleagues and students started this journey, we hoped it would become this big. But there is no way we could have made it without you. You made it happen in the most amazing way, filling this room with enthusiasm, drive, and passion.鈥澨�
As the Faculty of Computer Science gets closer to 50 per cent gender parity, Dr. Zincir-Heywood says the work of these groups remains more relevant than ever.
For her, it always comes back to fostering a sense of belonging.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not about power,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about how much value you give human rights. And it doesn鈥檛 mean anyone is less. We all deserve to belong.鈥澨�