In less uplifting news, Vice explains that based on a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, sexism and sexual harassment in STEM haven't gone anywhere. Of women studying science, 20% experience sexual harassment from peers and professors, while that number jumps up to more than 40% for women who are studying medicine. Research for the report began in 2016, and since then, the #MeToo movement has changed things a bit. As the Vice analysis states though, behavior hasn't changed as much as consequences have, and if you don't get caught, you don't pay for the crime. A massive cultural shift from the ground up is still needed to see change. (See WiCipedia: 'Perceived Gender Bias' & Google/YouTube CEOs on Diversity.)

In a Gender Manifesto flashback, a new essay by a University of Washington professor is proving controversial. "Why Women Don't Code" is Professor Stuart Reges's personal take on James Damore's Gender Manifesto and why women just aren't equipped to work in tech, according to Geekwire. "Don't attribute to oppression that which can be explained by free choice," he said. "People talk about the problem in tech, that there's not enough women in tech and they assume that it's because of oppression. I don't believe that. I believe that choice is more significant in explaining what's going on." (See 'Ladysplaining' Ex-Googler's Anti-Women Memo.)

Randi Zuckerberg, famed sister of Mark, has advice for women in tech that she admits isn't ideal: have a unisex first name. Quartz reports that the other Zuck has some additional advice for women: seek out new markets of the industry and get in on the ground floor. That's why she's currently investing in blockchain, cryptocurrency and cannabis, emerging fields "where gender bias has yet to fully crystalize the way it has in more established portions of the industry," the article explains. Zuckerberg says, "It's important to talk about how we catch women up in tech and how we get funding, but let's not miss the new boats that are setting out from the harbor, because that's an opportunity for everybody to get in on day one." (See WiCipedia: Trumpisms, Marriage Penalties & Back-to-School Inspo and WiCipedia: Cryptocurrency & a Sexism Code Word .)

A new study from Reveal and the Center for Employment Equity at the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows the (lack of) diversity still in play at Silicon Valley tech companies. Reveal explains that while companies are making efforts to diversify their staff, the issue really starts before applicants are even old enough to work and needs to be attacked at the early education level. The article also explains the excuse cycle that is so prevalent in large tech companies: "When it comes to diversity, companies often want to shift responsibility to others, according to Donald Tomaskovic-Devey, a sociology professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Center for Employment Equity. 'This is not something they do for any other part of the production process,' he said." (See WiCipedia: Diversity Fatigue & 'Unprotected' Minorities at Google.)

— Eryn Leavens, Special Features & Copy Editor, Light Reading