A brand-new content series was announced last week by the Blockchain Center of Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. The Center was founded in 2018 within the Information Systems Department and is led by Dr. Mary Lacity and two team members, Kathryn Carlisle and Dr. Daniel Conway.
The Blockchain Center of Excellence launched their Women in Blockchain Initiative with the goal of highlighting female blockchain leaders and use-cases that support and promote women. Kathryn Carlisle, the Senior Managing Director, said “Women are capable of leading blockchain companies, publishing research and building blockchain-based applications, but are currently under-represented in this technological space. The overall interest in blockchain and cryptocurrency is growing rapidly, but there is still a long way to go to in terms of closing the gender gap for wealth creation and leadership opportunities.”
The initiative was kicked-off by sharing a video spotlight series that is now featured on the Center’s website and published on the Women in Blockchain playlist on the Walton College YouTube Page. Content and interviews will be continually added throughout the next year for individual leaders and use-cases. Current spotlights include blockchain professionals in areas ranging from secure US Government nuclear codes storage to financial inclusion for women working on and owning farms in Africa.
Two of the Blockchain Center’s female leaders, Dr. Mary Lacity and Kathryn Carlisle, will also contribute by speaking publicly at events concerned with this topic like the Women in IT Conference. “As technologists, the BCoE faculty and staff believe everyone should participate in the design and implementation of new economic systems that are enabled by emerging technologies like blockchains. We hope that students will see the possibilities for their careers by celebrating the women who are leading the way. The Women in Blockchain Initiative is part of a broader diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative in the Walton College of Business and across the University of Arkansas. ”
Eventually, the initiative will expand to include more workshops, partnerships, and different forms of recognition. If there is a female blockchain professional or use-case that you would like to nominate, please email blockchain@uark.edu.
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