President's Message

The underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is an issue that has been studied extensively [1] . Yet women still face many challenges, even though the demand for many STEM occupations has exploded. Many factors contribute to the low number of women in the STEM field. From an early age, girls are exposed to many cultural cues that dissuade them from participating in STEM fields. This gender bias is enforced by implicit or explicit messages from multiple sources.

As I am writing this article, I am wrapping up a trip as IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS) president to Doha, Qatar (9–11 January), to speak at the 2022 IEEE Spoken Language Technology (SLT) Workshop, and India (12–16 January), for technical talks and meetings with local signal processing researchers and SPS local Chapter chairs.

May the year 2023 bring everyone closer to the fulfilment of their dreams. We have left behind a year marked with successes on multiple fronts, including health and technology as well as a year filled with proud people risking their lives for freedom. In particular, two big movements have captured our hearts: the fierce resistance of Ukranian people against the Russian invasion of their country, and the prodemocracy uprising in Iran with women in the lead.

IEEE members are bound by the IEEE Code of Ethics [1] . By becoming IEEE members, we commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct. We agree to uphold the practices of ethical design and sustainable development; protect the privacy of others; and promptly disclose factors that might endanger the public or the environment. We strive to improve the public understanding of the implications of technology.

This past May marked the beginning of our return to face-to-face events after almost three years of pandemic-forced virtual-only interactions. The first attempt was the 2022 ICASSP! Planning for large international events in the era of postpandemic uncertainty is not an easy undertaking. Of course, signal processing is all about dealing with uncertainty—and who would be better at planning than IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS) people?