Shaking up Tech is a joint event and collaboration network of technology-focused universities, promoting diversity in the fields of technology and encouraging young women and gender minorities to pursue studies in technology. The Shaking up Tech event is held annually in January, simultaneously across several university campuses. Almost all universities in Finland that offer technology programs are involved!
Spread the word and inspire!
The traget group of the event is high school students, and you as teachers and guidance counsellors are our key ambassadors. You have a vital role in inspiring young people to sign up for the event and discover what the tech field is really all about. At Shaking up Tech, participants have the chance to meet women already working in the industry, alongside other young people who share an interest in higher-level mathematics and technology.
What and when?
September
We distribute marketing material about the next edition of the event to all Finnish high schools, both via postal mail and email.
October
Applications for participants are open throughout October. Once the application period closes, applicants will be notified of the selection via the email address they provided.
January
The event takes place every year on the Thursday of the penultimate week of January. The next Shaking up Tech will place on 21 January 2027, on four different campuses across Finland!
Below are downloadable materials for classroom use:
- A short presentation material to be shown or shared during class (in Finnish)
- A 'One slider' info/advertisement for school info screens (in Finnish)
- 'More Diversity' teaching material for study counsellors: lesson material on gender segregation in education and labour markets, and the benefits of diversity (in Finnish)
Did you know that...
among new university students who started in technology fields in 2025, just under 33 percent are women. The fields with the lowest proportion of women are mechanical engineering, as well as electronics and automation.
The technology sector provides a diverse and international learning environment, along with broad career opportunities and competitive salaries. Still, more efforts are needed to raise awareness of the field, provide role models, and boost young people's confidence in their own abilities. TEK – the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland – has set a target to increase this share to 40 percent by 2030. The aim is driven by the belief that a more balanced gender distribution in technology would benefit universities, the job market, and society at large.
We need role models to increase awareness of the field, a sense of belonging in technology, and self-efficacy among girls.
Susanna Bairoh, Research Manager at TEK, and Johanna Naukkarinen, Research Teacher at LUT University, have found in their research that the sense of belonging in the technology field can be strengthened by broadening the imagery and representations of technology professionals.
Explore the field of technology and get inspired!
Update your knowledge with the materials from our partners TEK and Technology Industries of Finland:
(in Finnish)
Tulevaisuus hakusessa? (external link)
Tekniikan avulla voit parantaa maailmaa ja vähentää eriarvoisuutta.
Inspiroidu esikuvista! (external link)
9 polkua tekniikan alalle – He muuttavat maailmaa