Women in HPC launch inclusive events to spotlight diverse talent at ISC 2025
Edinburgh, 8 May 2025 – The Women in High Performance Computing (WHPC) organisation, in collaboration with ISC High Performance 2025 (ISC), has unveiled an engaging schedule of events designed to promote innovation, diversity, and leadership within the realm of supercomputing. The events will take place during the ISC 2025 conference at the Congress Centre Hamburg (CCH) from 10th to 12th June 2025, a venue known for its commitment to hosting pioneering scientific discussions.
Eleanor Broadway, an Executive Board Member of WHPC, articulated the significance of these events, stating, “Our partnership with ISC enables WHPC to bring visibility to the brilliant and diverse talent across the HPC community.” This collaboration aims to honour not just the achievements, but also the unique perspectives of women and individuals from underrepresented groups within the high-performance computing sector.
Highlighting the importance of diversity, Colleen Sheedy, People & Organisation Development Manager at ISC Group, remarked, “Diversity isn’t just a goal, it’s a necessity for innovation in HPC. We’re proud to continue our work with WHPC to champion inclusivity, spotlight emerging talent, and foster a more equitable community.” This sentiment reflects a broader shift within the tech industry, recognising that varied backgrounds lead to more innovative solutions.
The events kick off on Tuesday, 10 June with the WHPC's "Tech Talks" at the Exhibitor Forum from 18:45 to 20:30. This session will feature a dynamic mix of established leaders and emerging researchers sharing insights that highlight collaborations within the community. Particularly encouraging is the call for lightning talk submissions, which is open to individuals at all career stages, with a focus on amplifying the voices of those from underrepresented backgrounds.
On the same day, attendees can explore the WHPC Poster Series in the foyer (Second Floor), which will showcase 15 innovative poster presentations from the WHPC community. This selection aims to highlight cutting-edge research and fresh perspectives, particularly from those early in their HPC careers. The emphasis on showcasing diverse talent is critical, as WHPC strives to nurture the next generation of leaders in the field.
Wednesday, 11 June marks the annual Diversity Day, where participants are encouraged to wear WHPC Diversity Day swag to show support for inclusion in STEM fields. The day’s schedule includes the "Super(computing) Heroes" Birds of a Feather (BoF) session from 10:15 to 11:15 in Hall E, which will shine a spotlight on prominent women in HPC. This session aims to foster connections and drive meaningful discussions about the future of the community.
The WHPC Poster Pitch is also scheduled for the same day, allowing poster authors to present their work in short, rapid-fire pitches, culminating in the announcement of the WHPC Best Poster Award. Following this, the WHPC Networking Reception from 14:15 to 16:15 will offer attendees a valuable opportunity to connect with leaders, poster authors, and fellow supporters while celebrating progress made towards inclusion within the supercomputing space.
Behind these significant initiatives is the WHPC ISC25 Volunteer Committee, which includes notable members like Eleanor Broadway and Ayesha Afzal, among others, working diligently in collaboration with the ISC 2025 Committee to ensure a successful event.
These WHPC events are made possible through generous support from entities such as AMD, AWS, Google Cloud, and the University of Cambridge, reflecting a collective investment in a more inclusive future for high-performance computing. All WHPC events at ISC 2025 require an Exhibitor badge or higher for access, encouraging a broad participation from the conference's diverse audience.
As anticipation builds for ISC 2025, WHPC is poised to create an impactful presence in Hamburg, demonstrating that the future of supercomputing is not only innovative but also inclusive.