As communications professionals, we regularly collaborate with editors, reporters, and freelance writers. It is commonly observed that most of the engineers and engineering managers in the electronics industry are men. Still, it is also worth noting that the majority of the trade press is also male.
Women are better represented in engineering and electronics publishing than 20 years ago. That said, more progress could be made toward balancing gender representation in both professions. A 2023 study by Pew Research Center found that the gender distribution in tech journalism mirrors the tech sector itself, with women making up just 38% of the field.
At Publitek, we’re proud to work with many exceptional female journalists who are helping shift that dynamic. We asked a few of them to share their experiences, from how they got their start to how the industry has evolved, and the advice they’d offer to the next generation of women entering the field.
It was no surprise that, despite differences in geography, age, and background, many journalists we spoke to shared similar experiences. Several described how they “fell into” a career in electronics journalism, while others reflected on the gradual but encouraging rise of women participating in both technical reporting and the broader tech industry. Still, progress remains slow: a recent study by the Reuters Institute found that only 27% of editors-in-chief globally are women.
We’re proud to highlight a few of Publitek’s longtime media collaborators. Hear directly from Amelia Dalton, News Editor at EE Journal; Caroline Hayes, Editor at Electronics Weekly; Sally Ward-Foxton, Senior Reporter at EE Times; and Tiera Oliver, Assistant Managing Editor at Embedded Computing Design.
What inspired you to pursue a technology journalism career, particularly in the electronics industry?
Amelia: I like to say that I didn’t find a career in high tech journalism; high tech journalism found me. I was managing a nonprofit when I was offered a job with Techfocus Media. Over the years, my position at Techfocus Media has evolved to include a position as news editor, production manager and webcast and podcast host. Over the years, my team encouraged me to use my strengths to develop further what we offer at Techfocus Media. In 2006, we launched our Chalk Talk webcast with the idea of a cooking show using my personality to drive viewership, and our webcasts are now more popular than ever before. When I came up with the idea of a weekly high-tech podcast in 2010, my team supported and encouraged me all along the way. My team believed in my vision of a funny yet educational podcast before podcasts were as popular as they are today.
Caroline: As is so often the case, I fell into it! I was offered a place on a publisher’s [Morgan Grampian] graduate training scheme and imagined that would give me time to figure out a career path – then I liked it so much, I stayed! I loved (and still love) finding out what people were doing. Although I didn’t have an engineering degree, I enjoyed talking to knowledgeable people who were happy to ‘talk basics’ for me to learn about new and emerging technology and applications (again, still do!). About 30 years ago, the electronics industry was moving incredibly fast, and one day, everything changed when I realised I was suggesting new processes to someone who admitted they had “stopped learning” when they graduated.
Sally: Blind luck! I did not know this part of the media existed, and hadn’t considered a career in media at all. But when I saw the job advert, I realised it could be a good fit, as I consider myself a people person and hadn’t had much chance to meet new people in my engineering internships.
Tiera: Pursuing a career in technology journalism was a bit of a whim. In college, I majored in journalism and enjoyed meeting diverse individuals, visiting different places, and being part of a community. When the opportunity to work in the electronics industry came along, I saw the chance to make a name for myself where representation was limited. It was both a challenge and an opportunity to make an impact.
Have you noticed any changes, positive or challenging, for women in the tech media space since you started?
Amelia: Since I started in this industry twenty years ago, I have seen quite a positive growth in the number of women in tech media. A long time ago, I was the only woman in the press room at industry events. Since then, I have seen a big growth in the number of women leading the charge in my industry. I hope this trend continues to include more women of colour as well.
Caroline: A big positive, probably most noticeable in the last 15-20 years, has been a lot more women in management positions in the electronics industry. At the start of my career, it could feel quite lonely at times. I would often be the only woman in the meeting or at a press conference. There is still a sense that women have to prove they have ‘earned their stripes’ more than their male counterparts do. In groups, women often get talked over or their voices get drowned out. A positive change is that today, some male colleagues are aware of this and will use their deeper voices to point out “that’s what she just said”.
Sally: Things are certainly easier 20 years on, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t further to go. I do think people’s perception of me in the industry is based more on my work and my experience now than it would have been even 10 years ago, but it could also be age, too.
Tiera: Since I’ve started in this space, one of the most encouraging changes I’ve observed is the increasing presence of women in leadership roles within the tech media space. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many, which has been both motivating and insightful.
What advice would you give to women looking to enter or grow in the tech journalism field?
Amelia: I would encourage women to be open to different interpretations of what you think you can be good at. I would encourage them to think outside the box and lean into the parts of their personality and history that make them different. This industry needs a variety of different voices, and women have a unique position to change this industry and the world.
Caroline: It is hard work and not particularly glamorous, but it is rewarding. Don’t wear heels to a fab tour! Or a skirt if there is a chance you will be wearing a ‘bunny suit’! Other advice applies to men or women: keep listening, keep learning, keep questioning.
Sally: Go for it! It’s a fun and rewarding career. You get to learn about the latest inventions directly from some of the world’s smartest people, and you get to hear about it before anyone else. You can really make a difference to companies and the industry. I am lucky to have had great women role models in electronics media to look up to and be inspired by, (I joined EE Times to work for Junko Yoshida and am also inspired by Caroline Hayes’ work at Electronics Weekly) and I hope more women consider a career in the electronics media to become the next generation of role models!
Tiera: Just do it! When I first started in this field, I had no idea what to expect, but every day has been a learning experience, and I continue to embrace opportunities to grow, build relationships, and stay curious.
The stories and insights from these journalists emphasise both how far women have come in technology journalism and how much opportunity still lies ahead. While progress has been made, true balance remains a work in progress. By amplifying female voices, we can help ensure the tech media landscape continues to grow more inclusive, representative, and impactful.
