The Future of Tech Is Female

“Branson’s expertise as a teacher as well as a legal scholar makes this thorough analysis accessible and meaningful to professionals at all levels—he combines meticulous research and thorough documentation in a very readable, thought-provoking narrative.” - CHOICE “Of any major industry, technology has the worst record of promoting and retaining female executives… Branson’s book wanders through this paradox and attempts to provide solutions for tech companies.” - Harvard Law Review “Doug Branson has written another terrific book! He has the enviable talent of being an outstanding scholar combined with the journalistic flair of being able to write a great story. The story in question is the lack of women in leadership in the technology industry, but all the analysis equally applies to other sectors. The focus is not on what women need to do differently, but rather on what companies need to do to nurture women in the executive pipeline and ultimately to CEO position. This is a fresh perspective in which Branson draws on theories of leadership, corporate governance and feminism and weaves through his writing many engaging accounts of the women who inhabit the technology industry. It deserves to be read widely by both academics and practitioners.” - Susan Vinnicombe,Professor of Women and Leadership, Cranfield School of Management “This is a crucial book on a crucial subject. Douglas Branson brings a wealth of expertise and research to a field sorely in need of both. The barriers to women in the tech industry are persistent and pervasive, and Branson does masterful work in identifying the greatest challenges and most promising responses. It is neither just nor cost effective for tech companies to fail to take advantage of a talent pool that is increasingly female.” - Deborah Rhode,E.W. McFarland Professor of Law, Stanford University “Professor Doug Branson has been pioneer in research on gender diversity in corporations. In his new book, he turns his attention to the IT industry an industry notable for its many achievements but also for its lack of gender diversity. Professor Branson examines the history of women in IT, evaluates the solutions that have been advanced previously to promote gender diversity in the IT industry (including mandatory quota laws, mentoring, and a greater emphasis on STEM education) and identifies the solutions that he believes have the best prospects of succeeding. Some think the solution lies with women doing more to advance their cause. Professor Branson puts the case that it is the industry that needs to increase opportunities for women. This important book is a call to action by the IT industry.” - Ian Ramsay,Harold Ford Professor of Commercial Law, Melbourne Law School “Branson brilliantly tackles the pervasive and age-old problem of gender inequality in the previously unexplored sector of tech. He does more than just identify whats wrong. He also offers a comprehensive critique of old and new solutions and strategies, identifying those likely to positively impact the trajectory of this sector to make it one in which women thrive.” - Hannah Brenner,California Western School of Law

Douglas Branson is the W. Edward Sell Chair at the University of Pittsburgh. He is author of 23 books, including No Seat at the Table: How Corporate Governance and Law Keep Women out of the Boardroom (NYU 2007), and The Last Male Bastion: Gender and the CEO Suite in America’s Public Companies.