“The economic trends are super clear. The technical roles are in demand. Even in what is currently a very difficult situation for our country in unemployment. There’s a huge shortage of engineers who can build products like Facebook. And women need to have their fair share of those seats,” Facebook’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said.

via CBSNews

Wearing makeup … increases people’s perceptions of a woman’s likability, her competence and (provided she does not overdo it) her trustworthiness, according to a new study, which also confirmed what is obvious: that cosmetics boost a woman’s attractiveness.

via NYTimes

Christianne Corbett, a senior researcher for the American Association of University Women and co-author of the 2010 report “Why So Few?,” is blunt: “The growth of technology is driven by the people who are designing it. Without women at the design table, the interests of half the population will basically be ignored.” Adds Lucy Sanders, CEO of the National Center for Women and Information Technology: “We don’t know what women would invent because by and large right now, they are not.”

 Tips to keep your heel walking fracture-free:

1. If you’re shopping and can’t decide between the 3 and 5 inch heels, choose the lower heel.
2. If you simply must wear super high heels, don’t drink.
3. Kick your shoes off under the table when seated.
4. Take your shoes off to dance.
5. Change into flats for your trip home.
6. When you work out, don’t forget to strengthen and stretch your ankle muscles.
7. If you’ve had a prior ankle injury, think twice before you leave the house in heels

(ORLY AVITZUR, MD via KevinMD.com)

Microsoft recently announced its launch of the Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program and the Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program.

The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program for 2012 will start accepting applications Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  This program recognizes the best and the brightest Ph.D. students in the United States and Canada. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program in an accredited university in the US or Canada, with a research focus in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Electrical Engineering.  All applications will need to be submitted through the office of the department chair. The deadline for submission of applications is Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 11:59 P.M., Pacific Time. For additional details of eligibility requirements and the application procedure, please see: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/awards/apply-us.aspx

Microsoft Research is also accepting applications for the 2012 Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program.  Applicants must be full-time, female students, enrolled in their first year of graduate program with an accredited university in the US or Canada, with a research focus in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Electrical Engineering.  The deadline for submission of applications is Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 11:59 P.M., Pacific Time. For qualifications and application procedures, please see:  http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/awards/fellows-women.aspx

For more information on the Microsoft Research Ph.D. Fellowship Program, please contact us atmsfellow@microsoft.com and for the 2012 Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program, please contact us at msrsch@microsoft.com.

(via Chip Chick)

Scientists have “discovered” that female drivers are actually more dangerous behind the wheel then men. This conclusion has been reached after researchers took a look at 6.5 million car accidents that took place in the U.S.A. from 1998 until 2007.  Over nine years of car accident records, they discovered that there was a “higher than expected” amount of accidents that occurred between two female drivers.  The research also found that women have a harder time getting through crossroads and junctions rather than their male counterparts.

Dr. Michael Sivak of the University of Michigan, who led the study, has theorized that this might be caused by height differences between men and women. However, our own theory regarding this matter is that women tend to be multi-taskers and perhaps many of them are simultaneously focusing on other things while they are driving. Either way, we say not to jump to any conclusions yet. We want to see the research performed in other countries too! I also hope my insurance company doesn’t read this article…

Almost one-third of young women would trade at least a year of their lives to have a perfect body, according to a new survey of British undergraduates. The survey found that 16 percent of young women queried said they’d trade a year of life for their ideal body weight and shape. Ten percent were willing to trade two to five years, and 2 percent were willing to trade up to 10 years of life away. One percent said they would give up 21 years or more.

via Technology and IT Jobs News and Advice

The Femme Den started as an underground collective of international women searching for answers in a world that was not designed for us. We’ve now grown to a leading team of design researchers, industrial designers, and engineers who are paving the way for a deeper understanding around design and gender.

via Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology