Ada Lovelace Day

Ada Lovelace Day History

Ada Lovelace Day is an international celebration of women's achievements in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). The observance aims to raise awareness of the vital role of women in these fields, thus inspiring more girls and young women to pursue STEM careers. It is marked with events such as talks, workshops and panel discussions to showcase the incredible accomplishments of female scientists and engineers, both historic and contemporary.

The idea of celebrating Ada Lovelace Day was founded by technologist Suw Charman-Anderson in 2009. Ada Lovelace, born Ada Gordon in 1815 in London, is recognised as the world's first computer programmer. A mathematician and writer, her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine, laid the groundwork for modern computing. This event holds special significance, as Ada Lovelace, the only legitimate child of the renowned British Poet Lord Byron, remains a shining example of British excellence in STEM fields.

Ada Lovelace Day is observed through numerous events hosted by universities, schools, and organisations to discuss and celebrate the history and future of women in STEM disciplines. These activities range from educational seminars to hands-on workshops, often incorporating the use of creative and interactive methods to engage audiences of all ages. Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of October, making it a highly anticipated event for all those interested in promoting gender equality within STEM fields.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Ada Lovelace Day in the UK

• The 2026 observance features a dedicated campaign titled 'The Ada Effect,' which focuses on the impact of connecting young women and non-binary individuals with successful role models in STEM fields.
• This international celebration, held annually in the United Kingdom and globally, aims to increase the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to encourage more girls to pursue these career paths.
• The day was founded in 2009 by British technologist and writer Suw Charman-Anderson as a grassroots response to the lack of recognized female role models in technology and science.
• The choice of Ada Lovelace as the figurehead for the observance is rooted in her historical legacy as the nineteenth-century mathematician widely recognized as the world's first computer programmer.
• Lovelace is specifically famous for her work on the Sketch of the Analytical Engine, with Notes from the Translator, where she included a series of explanatory notes that contained the first published algorithm intended for a machine.
• Beyond simple calculation, Lovelace demonstrated a visionary understanding of computing, theorizing that machines could manipulate symbols to create music and graphics—a concept far ahead of the technology available in the 1840s.
• The observance is heavily inspired by psychological research, such as that by Penelope Lockwood, which suggests that women are more effectively encouraged by seeing visible female role models than men are by seeing male counterparts.
• The event often includes a flagship Ada Lovelace Day Live! 'science cabaret' in London, providing a platform for women in STEM to give short, engaging talks about their professional work and research.
• Ada Lovelace was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron and the reformer Anne Isabella Milbanke; her mother encouraged her intense study of mathematics and logic to prevent her from inheriting what she perceived as her father's volatile temperament.
• A key goal of the day remains addressing the ongoing gender equity gap, as statistics consistently show that women remain underrepresented in the technology workforce and leadership positions within the UK.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Ada Lovelace Day

Top things to do in the UK for Ada Lovelace Day

• Sign up for a free webinar or participate in the Finding Ada virtual STEM conference.
• Write a blog post, record a podcast, or post on social media about the women leaders in your life. This can be teachers, lecturers, researchers, colleagues, anyone you feel is a real life heroine.
• Explore the Lovelace family's ancestral home, Horsley Towers, in Surrey, which is now a hotel.
• Attend various talks, workshops or seminars catering to Ada Lovelace Day. Many universities, schools, and organizations host events discussing the contributions of women in STEM fields.