Mission from Mars: the journey to diversifying the tech industry

Dr Anjali Subburaj, Chief Architect at Mars, talks diversity in the tech industry and the changes she wants to see happen

Having arrived in the UK in 1999, with a doctorate degree in physics from Mumbai University and "some initial exposure to scientific IT," Anjali Subburaj approached building her new career with a combination of pragmatism, ambition and self-awareness.

"I lacked experience of working in a commercial organisation, had no training in commercial computing and had never been exposed to Western culture," she cheerfully admits.

Despite that, Dr Subburaj did not allow these points to hold her back: "Initially, I focused on finding a suitable role, doing it well, and then taking the next step. As I progressed, my experience and skill-set increased, and I could plan better. Since that first role, I have been a trusted advisor to many business leaders in enterprises including the Pensions Regulator, Welsh Government, Royal Mail, and BAT."

Dr Subburaj is, understandably, proud of her journey: from newly settled support analyst in a start-up to Chief Architect at giant consumer goods company Mars, where she shapes their key technology strategies. As well as a love of maths, physics and logical thinking processes, she also credits Professor Rohini Godbole - a world-renowned particle physicist who taught her at Mumbai University - as an inspiration for starting in the tech world.

"She was my role model then and is now, too. She received the national award, Padma Shree [equivalent to an MBE], from the Indian Government in 2019 for her service to science. Prof. Godbole is currently working diligently to bring in reforms and create equity for women working in the field of science in India."

The presence of good, diverse role models in STEM subjects has never been more vital. Opportunities for women, BAME candidates and those from a poorer socio-economic background have been are still are hard to access in the tech sector - which is often criticised for its lack of diversity. Those chances can also be tarnished by feelings of exclusion, imposter syndrome or social discomfort. Positive, varied workforces containing role models like Prof. Godbole, and now Dr Subburaj herself, are paving the way for future generations of women like themselves. There are still plenty of challenges left to tackle, though.

Dr Subbaraj stresses the importance of female role models in the tech sector

When asked if there is a diversity issue in tech and whether it had affected her in any way, Dr Subburaj pinpointed a challenge that many organisations are working hard to solve: "My biggest challenge has been to find ways to fit into the male-dominated IT industry. Until recently, I felt like a square peg trying to squeeze into a round hole. I believed in my principles and would not surrender them to fit into an organisational mould."

Her methodology of improving the outcomes of the challenges she faces is another example of how diverse thought processes can improve both a business and the individuals working together inside it.

"I decided to change myself, but on my own terms and conditions. First, I worked on eliminating my own biases about people and their culture, background, nationality, and gender. Otherwise, how else could I be objective about gender bias that I experienced?"

There is a commendable empathy to Dr Subburaj's approach, which - it could be argued - is often missing from the world of science and technology. By making an effort to understand colleagues and other professionals who have entirely different experiences or backgrounds, the floor opens up to new ways of innovating and celebrating diversity as a mechanism for not only including all kinds of people, but connecting them too.

"Instead of dismissing comments which may at first seem biased, I have learned to try appreciating where they are coming from," says Dr Subburaj. "If they are borne out of a lack of understanding, I have a rational conversation with the individual. If this does not resolve the matter, then at least I know that I have attempted to build bridges."

She is also pleased to see the increased interest in STEM subjects from girls choosing scientific subjects at school and women moving into tech careers: "Two decades after I arrived in the UK, it's gratifying to see more young women choosing careers in STEM, and I hope that my story helps to demonstrate that there is a place for them in IT and that they too can work their way to the top of the profession."

Diversity in STEM courses is rising, but there's still a long way to go

This is a welcome change for many, and an approach that is starting to see a wider push: companies like Octopus Energy are now creating opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in tech, with accessible internships designed to improve diversity and inclusion in the sector. Despite these opportunities, however, there is still a long way to go. Research by STEMWomen shows that, according the recent UCAS data provided by HESA, only 35 per cent of STEM students in higher education in the UK are women.

Dr Subburaj hopes that sharing her experiences will inspire and help other women feel confident in choosing pathways into tech careers. She identifies what she sees as the two biggest misconceptions about women who work in the tech sector: "Firstly, the idea that ambitious women are ‘pushy' or ‘aggressive'. Men with equal drive and aspirations are rewarded and respected, sometimes without having relevant capabilities. This double standard occurs in all roles and tends to increase in senior positions of leadership.

"The second biggest misconception…is that women are not technical at all, or that they are not sufficiently technical to be taken seriously. In a technical discussion, a woman will either be talked over or ignored completely. If she does manage to speak up and make a valid point, then she runs the risk of someone putting her down. If she does not speak up, then she runs the risk of being labelled as not having anything to contribute."

To be a woman in a tech sector career is to be presented with many challenges, but Dr Subburaj would like to see changes that celebrate women being welcomed on equal footing. "Talented women in technology are often relegated to being Salieris; I would like to see them get acknowledgement and rightful reward as the Mozarts that they are!

"A woman in a technical role needs to believe that she is in that role because she is at least twice as good as her male colleagues. I would like to see women believing in themselves, no matter what.

"Men are comfortable mentoring women in technology into junior-to-middle level positions. However, very few come forward to sponsor women to help them to progress to the most senior positions. We need more visible women at the most senior positions in the technology industry."

This article is based on an interview by technology recruiter MRL, as part of its campaign to widen diversity in the tech sector.