Ensuring Women’s Voices Help Shape the Future of Tech Policy

On 29 April, CORNERSTONE was proud to support the Women in Tech Policy Parliamentary Reception, a first-of-its-kind cross-party event held in the heart of Westminster. This landmark gathering brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and female experts from across the UK’s tech ecosystem to advance an urgent priority: women’s full inclusion in shaping the technologies and policies of tomorrow.

Hosted by the Women in Tech Policy Network, co-founded by Casey Calista and Dr Hannah Shimko, the reception offered a platform for dialogue, connection, and action. Its goal was simple but vital—to ensure that women’s insights and leadership are embedded in the policymaking processes that will define our collective digital future.

As Casey Calista said in her speech:

“It’s about ensuring that women’s voices aren’t just included in shaping policies that will define our future, but that they’re included in the entire conversation and ecosystem in which this happens.”

This emphasis on systemic inclusion was echoed by Parliamentarians and industry leaders alike. Samantha Niblett MP reinforced the scale of the opportunity—and the responsibility—that lies ahead:

“The people who design our technologies, the people who write the policies and the codes, are shaping the world that we live in. And we need women like you to be at the heart of that process. Across the UK, there is an enormous opportunity right now to lead responsible, inclusive and trusted technical development.”

Chi Onwurah MP, a chartered engineer herself, offered both a note of progress and a call to action.

“In meetings, it’s not me raising the issue of diversity and EDI, it’s the chief executive or the CEO. That tells me it’s at the top of the agenda – but we’re still not making enough progress.”

The reception also served as a key moment to raise awareness of MeEDI—a new initiative spearheaded by Professor Averil Macdonald OBE. MeEDI is a practical and forward-thinking call to ring-fence time and funding for projects that actively support inclusion and equality of opportunity in the workplace.

As Professor Macdonald explained:

“A lot of women don’t feel they belong, so they don’t even apply, and when they do apply, they don’t feel they belong.”
This sense of exclusion often leads to women leaving STEM professions altogether. MeEDI aims to challenge this “group think” by creating space—literally and figuratively—for new ideas and inclusive practices to take root.

At CORNERSTONE, we believe that a more diverse and empowered pipeline leads to better outcomes for everyone. Supporting initiatives like MeEDI aligns with our mission to create open, accessible, and collaborative spaces for innovation in silicon photonics—and beyond.

The Women in Tech Policy Parliamentary Reception marks an important step towards a more inclusive tech future. By fostering connections between female experts, MPs, and peers across Labour Digital, Digital Tories, Digital LibDems and women’s political networks, the event built meaningful momentum for change—across party lines and across the sector.

As we look ahead, CORNERSTONE remains committed to championing inclusion, enabling equity, and ensuring that all voices are not just heard—but truly empowered to lead.