Diversity in Computer Science: Design Artefacts for Equity and Inclusion

Diversity in Computer Science: Design Artefacts for Equity and Inclusion is an open-access book that covers the FemTech.dk research initiative, which explores the role of gender equity in digital technology design and development. The book highlights the unbalanced gender representation in computer science in Denmark and the journey of the authors to engage with the research field of equity and gender in computing. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and developing a theoretical platform that draws from various research streams and theoretical approaches.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Diversity in Computer Science: Design Artefacts for Equity and Inclusion is an open-access book that comprehensively covers the entire range of experiences and outcomes of the FemTech.dk research, which was conducted between 2016 and 2021. This research initiative, initiated in 2016 and continuing to this day as an integral part of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen's strategic development for years to come, aims to engage with research within gender and diversity and explore the role of gender equity as part of digital technology design and development. FemTech.dk delves into the question of how and why computer science, as a field and profession in Denmark, exhibits a distinct unbalanced gender representation in the 21st century.

This book also serves as a narrative of how the authors, as computer science researchers, embarked on a journey to engage with a new research field—equity and gender in computing—about which they had only sporadic knowledge when they began. We refer to equity and gender in computing as a research field, but in reality, this field encompasses a multitude of interconnected paths, concepts, and directions that yield significant and critical insights into society, gender, politics, and infrastructures. These insights are published in various venues, often with different sets of criteria, values, and assumptions. Thus, part of our journey involves learning and engaging with these diverse streams of research, concepts, and theoretical approaches, with the aim of identifying and developing our theoretical platform, which is grounded in our research backgrounds in Human-Computer Interaction.

In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the key principles, results, and learnings behind FemTech.dk. We will explore the research initiative's mission, objectives, and approach, as well as the impact and significance of its findings.

Mission and Objectives:

FemTech.dk's mission is to engage with research within gender and diversity and to explore the role of gender equity as part of digital technology design and development. The initiative aims to address the gender imbalance in computer science and technology, which has been a persistent issue for decades. By promoting gender equity and diversity in the field, FemTech.dk seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

The initiative's objectives are to:

Identify and understand the factors contributing to the gender imbalance in computer science and technology.

Develop design artefacts and strategies that promote gender equity and diversity in digital technology.

Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange between computer science, technology, and other fields.

Generate and disseminate research findings and insights to a broader audience.

Approach:

FemTech.dk adopts a multidisciplinary approach to its research. The initiative collaborates with researchers from various fields, including computer science, technology, sociology, psychology, and gender studies. This collaboration enables a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding gender and diversity in digital technology.

The initiative's research is conducted through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods include interviews, focus groups, and participatory workshops, which allow researchers to gain insights into the experiences and perspectives of individuals and groups involved in computer science and technology. Quantitative methods include surveys, statistical analysis, and data visualization, which enable researchers to quantify and analyze data to identify patterns and trends.

Results:

FemTech.dk's research has yielded a wealth of findings and insights into the gender imbalance in computer science and technology. The initiative has identified several factors contributing to the gender imbalance, including:

Stereotypes and biases: Stereotypes and biases about gender roles and abilities in computer science and technology can discourage women and other underrepresented groups from pursuing careers in the field.

Lack of representation: Women and other underrepresented groups are significantly underrepresented in computer science and technology, particularly in leadership positions and senior roles.

Discrimination: Discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, and other factors can prevent women and other underrepresented groups from advancing in their careers.

Inadequate support systems: Inadequate support systems, such as parental leave policies, flexible work arrangements, and mentorship programs, can make it difficult for women and other underrepresented groups to balance work and family responsibilities.

To address these factors, FemTech.dk has developed design artefacts and strategies that promote gender equity and diversity in digital technology. These artefacts include:

Gender-neutral language: Gender-neutral language can help to reduce gender biases and promote inclusivity in digital technology.

Inclusive design principles: Inclusive design principles can ensure that digital technology is designed and developed to be accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds.

Gender-aware algorithms: Gender-aware algorithms can help to reduce gender biases in algorithms and improve the accuracy and fairness of digital technology.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: Interdisciplinary collaboration can help to break down silos and promote collaboration between computer science, technology, and other fields.

Gender-sensitive training: Gender-sensitive training can help to increase awareness and understanding of gender issues in computer science and technology.

Impact and Significance:

FemTech.dk's research has had a significant impact on the field of computer science and technology. The initiative's findings and insights have been widely disseminated through conferences, workshops, and publications, and have been used to inform policy and practice in the field.

FemTech.dk's work has also contributed to the broader debate about gender equality and diversity in society. The initiative has raised awareness about the importance of promoting gender equity and diversity in digital technology and has highlighted the need for systemic change to address the gender imbalance in the field.

In conclusion, Diversity in Computer Science: Design Artefacts for Equity and Inclusion is an open-access book that presents and documents the principles, results, and learnings behind the research initiative FemTech.dk. The initiative was created in 2016 to engage with research within gender and diversity and to explore the role of gender equity as part of digital technology design and development. FemTech.dk considers how and why computer science as a field and profession in Denmark has such a distinct unbalanced gender representation in the 21st century. This book is also the story of how we, the authors, as computer science researchers embarked on a journey to engage with a new research field—equity century—about which we had only sporadic knowledge when we began. We refer here to equity and gender in computing as a research field—but in reality, this research field is a multiplicity of entangled paths, concepts, and directions that forms important and critical insights about society, gender, politics, and infrastructures which are published in different venues and often have very different sets of criteria, values, and assumptions. Thus, part of our journey is also to learn and engage with all these different streams of research, concepts, and theoretical approaches and, through these engagements, to identify and develop our own theoretical platform, which has a foundation in our research backgrounds in Human–Com.

Weight: 232g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031133138
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023