Workshops and Tutorials

Make sure that you select the workshops and tutorials you would like to attend during online registration. Please note that all of them have limited capacity.

 

DAY 1 Wednesday 26/06/2024 | 16:30-18:30

  • WS1 Coding for Equality: Building Inclusive Technology with SpaCY and Gensim (room: 4.0.D01)
    Presenter: Ontiretse Ishmael (ATU)
    In today’s increasingly computerized world, it is more critical than ever to claim that innovation is comprehensive and available to all. Natural Language Processing (NLP) could be a powerful instrument that can be utilized to make more comprehensive innovation, but it is critical to be mindful of the potential for biasness in NLP models. This workshop will educate attendees how to point out negative speech from text, enabling attendees to combat such and build inclusive technology with SpaCy and Gensim. The SpaCy and Gensim are libraries found in NLP techniques that help with processing free responses. SpaCy supports with unlocking the power of language by using its blazing-fast industrial-strength offering pre- trained pipelines for tasks like named entity recognition, part-of- speech tagging, and dependency parsing, enabling deeper text analysis and understanding while on the other hand Gensim dive into the world of topic modelling, similarities, and relationships.
    Furthermore, Gensim provides a versatile toolkit for topic modelling, document similarity, word embeddings, and more. It helps unlock hidden patterns and connections within text data. When these libraries are combined, they supercharge NLP projects because of their strengths to handle advanced tasks like sentiment analysis, conversational systems, and text summarization, building intelligent applications that truly understand language. We will demonstrate with free online datasets from social media such as X, Facebook, and other social media platforms how to capture sentiments from different users with these libraries and as well distinguish and moderate biasness in NLP models.
    Requirements for attendees: Participants are required to bring their own laptops with the tools specific to this workshop.
  • WS3 Hands-On Workshop: Exploring HCI and the Design Thinking Process (room: 4.1.E05)
    Presenter: Carlota Vazquez Gonzalez (King’s College London)
    Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the study of how people interact with computers and other technological devices, and how devices as such can be designed to be more usable, accessible, and effective at solving a particular problem. This interdisciplinary field draws upon the principles of computer science, psychology, design, and other related disciplines to improve the interaction between humans and technology. To introduce this extensive field, we will concentrate on the 5 fundamental pillars of the design thinking process: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test by Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. Once the theory of each section is clearly explained the participants will be invited to complete exercises that will further their understanding of each section. The workshop will be presented using this Miro Board which will also include a link to a Poll Everywhere which will facilitate sharing questions and external optional resources for the participants to do their research afterwards.Overall, HCI is a constantly evolving field that seeks to improve the way humans interact with technology and make it more accessible and usable for everyone. Therefore, it is beneficial to teach future generations of Computer Scientists so they can apply it in their future projects.
  • WS4 (Tutorial) Introduction to High-Performance Computing (room: 4.0.D03)
    Presenters: Marta Garcia-Gasulla (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Thaleia Dimitra Doudali (IMDEA Software Institute), Sara Royuela (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Elisabeth Ortega-Carrasco (HPCNow!)
    This tutorial introduces high-performance computing (HPC) to anyone with basic computer science and programming knowledge and limited or no prior experience with such computing resources. We will introduce the different parts of a supercomputer and how it is built and interconnected to provide the basis for understanding how it is used. We will explain the concept of a batch scheduler: its functionality, its central concepts, and how it is used. We will also cover the MPI and OpenMP programming models. Based on these two de facto standard models, we will explain the concepts of shared memory, distributed memory, pragma-based parallel programming, and implicit and explicit communication. The ultimate goal is to provide the attendees with an overview of HPC that will expand their knowledge, provide tools to understand a new field, and can lead to a new career path. The presenters are four established HPC professionals from research and industry, members of the MAR chapter of the Women in HPC organization. The MAR chapter includes HPC professionals, academics, and students at different career stages located in Spain or close to countries in the Mediterranean. It aims to give female HPC experts visibility and provide them with a networking platform.

DAY 2 Thursday 27/06/2024 | 11:00-13:00

  • WS5 Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Solutions  (room: 4.0.D01)
    Workshop organized by Telefónica.
    More information will be provided soon.
  • WS6 The Promises vs. Risks of Generative AI in Transforming Education (room: 4.1.D03)
    Presenter: Marjana Prifti Skenduli (University of New York Tirana)
    In an era where technological advancements redefine societal structures, Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI (GenAI), stands at the forefront of this transformation, emerging as a revolutionary force. This groundbreaking technology has permeated diverse sectors, revolutionizing industries from education to healthcare, banking, telecommunication, retail and beyond. In response, global leaders and organizations are actively engaging in disseminating knowledge about AI’s benefits and challenges in an effort to foster a collective understanding. This action aims not only to inspire but also to cultivate collaborative efforts in leveraging AI responsibly. As it continues to progress and develop, GenAI represents a significant departure from conventional approaches, especially in the field of education. This technology is more than just a new tool in the educator’s kit; it’s a game-changer, a disruptor that could reshape the very fabric of how we learn and teach. But as with any disruptive technology, it comes with a set of promises and risks that are intricately connected and far-reaching. The promise of GenAI in education is as appealing in its potential as it is complex in its execution—painting a future where personalized learning experiences cater to the unique needs and strengths of each individual learner. Yet, standing at this critical point, on the brink of redefining education, it’s crucial to acknowledge that with great power comes great responsibility and great risk. The integration of GenAI into education requires not just technological capacity but also careful evaluation of ethical, social, and practical implications. The implications are profound, from rendering conventional teaching methods obsolete to enhancing creative and critical thinking skills; from AI-augmented argument mapping to supplanting learners’ cognition (from knowledge creation theories to learning theories); from the risk of digital inequity to democratizing learning opportunities. However, realizing this future requires addressing challenges such as inherent biases in AI algorithms, potential declines in traditional learning practices, issues related to intellectual property, the need for explainability, substantial concerns over privacy and security etc. The pressing question here remains: How do we effectively manage the transformative potential of GenAI in education while also mitigating the inherent risks associated with such a radical shift?
  • WS7 MEDCHI Workshop (room: Salón de Grados)
    Presenters: George Caridakis, Joel Lanir, Laura Makary, Maristella Matera, Houda El Mimouni, Valentina Nisi and Giuliana Vitiello
    More information: MEDCHI Workshop webpageThe newly established Mediterranean CHI Committee (MedCHI), initiated in the Autumn of 2023 under the promotion of ACM SIGCHI, explores the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research, cultural heritage, and technological innovation within the Mediterranean region. MedCHI’s mission focuses on leveraging HCI to advocate for the region’s rich traditions alongside modern technological advancements, emphasizing gender equality and inclusive technology development. The workshop organized by MedCHI members aims to address the crucial role of HCI in enhancing life in the Mediterranean through the integration of technology and culture. It particularly underscores the significance of gender-inclusive computing practices, equitable participation, and representation in the Mediterranean’s digital landscape.Key topics include HCI’s role in bridging the gender digital divide, designing technologies that challenge traditional gender roles, ethical considerations in upholding Mediterranean values, promoting inclusive digital solutions, supporting sustainable economic development, and facilitating intercultural dialogue. Interest areas cover sustainable HCI approaches, inclusive digital solutions design, ethical considerations in HCI research, digital technologies’ impact on gender equality, user-centered design to challenge gender stereotypes, digital education, digital storytelling to promote Mediterranean values, technologies for intercultural understanding, collaborative platforms for community engagement, and case studies on HCI contributions to gender equality in the region.
  • WS19 Sustainable Future: Disruptive Technologies Applied to the Aerospace Industry (room: 2.0.C15)
    Presenters: María Jesús González and Gema Agudo (AIRBUS)
    The workshop will focus on exploring how disruptive technologies can be applied to address sustainability challenges in the aerospace industry. We will begin with an introduction to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and advanced materials, discussing their potential to revolutionize aircraft design, manufacturing, and operation in a sustainable manner. Through an interactive dynamic, we will rethink the Design, Production, and Maintenance process of an aircraft where the main players will be the most disruptive technologies. The workshop will conclude with real examples of technologies that make Airbus aircraft more sustainable.

DAY 2 Thursday 27/06/2024 | 14:45-16:45

  • WS8 Identify and Mitigate Gender Bias in Knowledge Graphs and Language Models (room: 4.0.D01)
    Presenters: Michelle Nwachukwu and Chiara Di Bonaventura (King’s College London)
    Computing technologies heavily permeate our society. In particular, Language Models (LMs) and Knowledge Graphs (KGs) have been widely adopted in various domains. They are used both in academia and industry for the development of different technologies, such as, search engines (Bing AI, Andi), recommender systems, and chatbots (Chat GPT, Google Bard, LaMDA), leading to humanlike performances. Despite their success, their wide application raises important ethical questions. In particular, it has been shown that these systems encode biases towards minority groups, which lead to further discrimination and harms of these already disadvantaged communities. This workshop aims to explore gender-based bias encoded in KGs and LMs through a close examination of its sources, manifestations, and societal implications. We aim to bring awareness to the development of gender-inclusive AI system by encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and ethical reflection.
  • WS10 Responsible AI: Advancing Gender Equity through Ethical Technology (room: Salón de Grados)
    Presenter: Vandana Singh (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
    In this workshop, we will discuss the role of responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing gender equity. AI is transforming every aspect of our society and lives, but its impact varies for different demographic groups. AI is being embedded into decision-making systems for banking, credit, employment, education, medical diagnosis, housing decisions, etc. Responsible AI is the vision of AI where AI is human-centered, fair, equitable, and inclusive. There is a need for Responsible AI because the low participation of women in the technology industry is a known gender gap, and this gap can be further perpetuated by biased technology. Algorithmic bias is one of the main concerns about AI; algorithms are human creations, and if the humans’ creating algorithms are biased or irresponsible, then the systems further exacerbate the inequalities. Therefore, it is important to understand the values and principles of responsible AI and how they can be used to mitigate discrimination. Gender-inclusive approaches in AI development and deployment is crucial to a fair and just future. In a study by the Berkely Hass Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership, they found that more than forty percent of systems in their analysis demonstrate gender bias. This type of bias built into systems leads to many types of discrimination against women, including bias in hiring, retention, unfair allocation of resources, etc. We will start with a discussion on Responsible AI and its impact on promoting gender equality. We will discuss examples of AI-based algorithms and their impact on perpetuating or mitigating gender biases and we will discuss strategies and practice approaches for integrating gender-inclusive approaches into AI deployment and development.
  • WS11 Cybersecurity and me. From computer engineer to cybersecurity expert (room: 4.0.D03)
    Presenter: Ana Isabel González-Tablas (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Nuria Prieto Pinedo (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Carolina Amado Fernández (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)
    What does cybersecurity have to do with me? Quite a lot. As a computer scientist or engineer, you have responsibilities when creating or using information technologies, including the protection of digital assets (identity, money, reputation…) or some basic human rights such as privacy. This responsibility starts with you as a user of cyberspace and can end with you as a cybersecurity expert.In this workshop we will introduce participants to some of the key best practices in cybersecurity, discuss the main professional roles in this field, and highlight the main trends today. In the second part of the workshop the participants will have the opportunity to work on an entry-level CTF challenge.
    Requirements for attendees: Participants are required to bring their own laptops.

DAY 2 Thursday 27/06/2024 | 17:15-19:15

  • WS2 Breaking Barriers in Computing Research Through Generative AI. A Workshop on Utilizing ChatGPT as a Mentor for Empowering Women’s Research Practices with R Statistical Software. (room: 4.0.D01)
    Presenter: Sonay Caner-Yıldırım (Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University)
    This workshop aims to dismantle the barriers hindering women’s participation in computing research by demonstrating how ChatGPT can support mastering complex analytical tools like Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using R, even with minimal prior knowledge.
    Designed for women in computing research, this hands-on, interactive workshop introduces participants to SEM using R, making this powerful statistical technique accessible to novices. We will showcase ChatGPT as a virtual mentor, providing instant, tailored assistance in troubleshooting code, understanding statistical concepts, and exploring data analysis strategies. By leveraging ChatGPT’s AI-driven support, we aim to bridge the gap in traditional mentorship and foster independence and confidence among women in computing research.
    Beyond SEM, attendees will gain familiarity with R and learn to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to enhance their analytical work. This dual focus ensures participants acquire specific SEM skills and versatile competency in R applicable across research endeavors in computing fields.
    Women in computing research will experience firsthand how integrating R and ChatGPT simplifies the learning curve of advanced statistical techniques, making them approachable for those with limited prior knowledge. The workshop aims to inspire broader engagement with computational methods among women in computing research, equipping them with skills and confidence to excel in their research careers.
    Requirements for attendees: Participants are required to bring their own laptops with R and RStudio pre-installed. They also need to have a ChatGPT account.
  • WS12 AI Eyes: Detecting People in Images with Artificial Intelligence (Scalian) (room: 1.1.G01)
    Presenter: Cynthia Porras, Data Scientist in AI Center of Excelence (Scalian Spain)
    Imagine a program that can scan through a massive library of images and instantly identify every person within them.
    That’s the power of AI Eyes – a technology that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to detect people in pictures.
    AI Eyes has a wide range of applications. It can be used for security purposes, analyzing surveillance footage to identify suspicious activity. In retail, it can track customer behavior and optimize store layout. Even in entertainment, AI Eyes can power features like automatic tagging of friends in photos.
    Requirements for attendees: Attendees must bring a laptop, have knowledge of Python, and have an email account to create a Google Colab for work.
  • WS13 Growth Mindset and Resilience: Thriving Through Setbacks (room: Salón de Grados)
    Presenters: Vandana Singh (University of Tennessee, USA), Pınar Ünal Aydin (International University of Sarajevo), Alicia JW Takaoka (Norwegian University Of Science And Technology (ntnu)), Miguel Goulão (NOVA-LINCS, NOVA School of Science and Techonology), Lenuta Alboaie (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași,), Cristina Olariu (Alexandru Ioan Cuza` University of Iași,), Birgit Penzenstadler (Chalmers) and Karima Boudaoud (University of Nice Sophia Antipolis)
    Women in technology face challenges in their work environment, often leading to women quitting the technology field, which exacerbates the exiting gender gap. In order to rectify the gender gap, many synergistic approaches need to be utilized. The technology ecosystem, including schools, higher education, instructors, industry partners, and social support systems, needs to play an active role in improving women’s participation and retention in the technology industry. Along with these efforts, women, other underrepresented minorities, and individuals with intersectional identities should cultivate a growth mindset and practice resilience to improve their mental health and well-being. Research shows that individuals equipped with a growth mindset and resilience navigate these obstacles and thrive amidst them. This workshop aims to provide participants with the tools and strategies necessary to foster a growth mindset and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity. Through interactive activities, group discussions, and real-life examples, attendees will explore the principles of a growth mindset, understanding how beliefs about intelligence and abilities shape their responses to challenges. Participants will learn to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable roadblocks. Attendees will engage in a “failure resume” workshop to share their failures and lessons learned from the failure. Additionally, the workshop will delve into the concept of resilience, examining the traits and behaviors of resilient individuals. Attendees will discover practical techniques for building resilience, such as developing problem-solving skills, fostering social support networks, and practicing self-care.
    The session includes a short talk entitled “EUGAIN presentation within WS13 Growth Mindset and Resilience: Thriving Through Setbacks” by Miguel Goulão.
  • WS14 Computing Technologies to manage territorial cohesion policies (room: 4.0.D03)
    Coordinators: Eva Barrio Reyes, Ana Chacón Tanarro, (Consejería de Presidencia, Justicia y Administración Local, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain) and Javier García Guzmán (Departamento de Informática, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain)
    The purpose of the workshop is to present how the Community of Madrid is using several technologies (eLearning Technologies, Healthcare innovation Management, Semantic Web, Open and Linked Data, Artificial Intelligence Techniques and Geographic Information Systems) for the evaluation of policies related territorial cohesion and competitiveness. The interventions included in the workshop will explain, from a practical point of view, the application of Information Technologies to several territorial cohesion dimensions: education, health, infrastructure management and territorial competitiveness. The presenters will be Irene Olalla Holgado (Technical Teaching Advisor for Educational Platforms Service), Cristina Calvo Guinea (Head of Service of Transport Network GRI – Spanish National Geographic Institute), Alejandra Abad González (Management Control Service at Hospital del Sureste in Madrid), Beatriz Gil Casares Casanova (Nephrologist at Hospital del Sureste in Madrid), Ana Fernández Vega (Senior year student at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Computer Science Bachelor’s degree) as well as the workshop coordinators.

DAY 3 Friday 28/06/2024 | 14:00-16:00

  • WS15 Play and Persuade: Using Computational Argumentation for Responsible AI (room: Salón de Grados)
    Presenter: Madeleine Waller and Elfia Bezou Vrakatseli (King’s College London)
    Computational argumentation is a field within AI and refers to the use of computational methods and tools to construct, analyze, and evaluate arguments in various fields such as law, politics and healthcare, notably for aiding transparent decision-making. Computational argumentation can be useful for analysing the impact of AI by engaging in a collaborative process of exploring ideas, challenging assumptions, and explaining them, contributing to the goal of responsible AI development. Following the success of our workshop at WomENcourage 2023, we present an extended workshop introducing argumentation through engaging games, interactive talks, and hands-on activities. Building on last year’s workshop, we will additionally present real-world applications, highlight the newest use cases and current research in the field, focused on uses in responsible AI, and aim for participants to gain insights into approaches for effective debate.
  • WS16 Be a Leader in Your Community: ACM-WE Workshop on Chapters (room: 4.0.D01)
    Presenter: Dorota Filipczuk (Microsoft)
    The ACM Women (ACM-W) global network advocates, supports and celebrates women in computing. There are hundreds of ACM-W chapters with 70,000+ members worldwide. In this session, we will celebrate ACM-W Europe (ACM-WE) chapters – that is, the ACM-W chapters based in the European ACM region. In particular, you will have a chance to hear from chapter representatives how they became leaders and what ACM-WE activities are happening in their chapters, including local ACM-WE Celebrations of Women in Computing. In addition, we will talk about how you can expand your professional network by joining an ACM-WE chapter or by starting a new chapter.
  • WS17 Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Engineering and Computing Studies (room: 4.0.D03)
    Presenters: Irem Alpcetin, Teresa Vicente Sanchez, Ariel Ediang, Arnaldo Felipe Neto, Mihai Filimon and David Palencia (Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
    In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, gender diversity remains a critical challenge. Despite progress, women continue to be underrepresented in engineering and computing fields. Our workshop aims to address this disparity head-on by fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive. This interactive workshop invites participants to explore strategies, share experiences, and collaborate on empowering women pursuing engineering and computing studies. Through engaging discussions, practical insights, and inspiring stories, we’ll collectively dismantle barriers and pave the way for gender equality in Computer and Engineering studies.