Case for Diversity in Open Source
Hello!
Vandana Singh
About 20 years of research on OSS – variety of settings - focus on Diversity in OSS
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Agenda
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Definitions – DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
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���Equality vs Equity
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Equality is about dividing resources in matching amounts, and Equity focuses more on dividing resources proportionally to achieve a fair outcome for ALL involved.
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https://diversity.umich.edu/about/defining-dei/
WHY DEI is important?
WHY DIVERSITY IN OSS?
“Women make more than 51% of the US work force, more than 20% of the tech work force and less than 2-3 % of the OSS community; these numbers have been stagnant for last two decades; ”
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Why Diversity in OSS?
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https://hbr.org/2016/11/why-diverse-teams-are-smarter?
Why do women care?
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Why Diversity in OSS?
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My Research
Results and Ongoing Projects
Motivated and Capable but No Space for Error – Women’s Experiences of Contributing to Open Source Software
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It did not seem like they were contributing to something intellectually but rather seemed more like a daring endeavor. The advice for newcomers included comments such as “you have to be brave; you have to be strong; you have to ignore; you have to be extra smart; etc.” This kind of advice made the author wonder why participation in a community where you are contributing your skills, often without pay, should be such a crusade! In addition to the knowledge and skills that these women bring to the community, why do they also have to do this onerous labor of managing a hostile environment?
Motivated and Capable but No Space for Error – Women’s Experiences of Contributing to Open Source Software
Inclusion Initiatives by OSS
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Women Only Spaces – “Safe Spaces”
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Women supporting each other in OSS
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Codes of Conduct and their role in OSS
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Study of the Discrimination and Hostility
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Action Items:
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Challenges
Challenges
Lack of Awareness
Lack of Allies
Lack of positive storytelling
Enforcement of Codes of Conduct
Ruthless decisions by Organizations
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Lack of Awareness
Lack of Allies
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What can allies do?
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“We find that the combination of these strategies allows them to claim identities as allies without having to engage in concrete efforts that could challenge systems of oppression. We argue that systematically examining processes through which people construct and perform what it means to be an ally may provide insights into mechanisms whereby inequality is maintained and justified.”
What can allies do?
Amplify stories�Raise voice in advocacy
Enforcement of CoC
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“VM (Vicky) Brasseur, an award-winning free/open-source advocate and corporate strategist, said, "A little over a year ago I finally joined @fsf". They had finally taken action against RMS, a man who has not only been demonstrably toxic himself but is also a role model of toxicity in #FreeSoftware. RMS was holding FSF and Free Software back. Despite that well-known toxicity, FSF announced on Twitter that RMS is returning to its board of directors. Their one step forward in September 2019 converted to two large steps back to the Free Software dark ages."
Josh Simmons, president of the Open Source Initiative (OSI), which oversees open-source licenses, tweeted "I am shocked and appalled by the news out of LibrePlanet that RMS, a known harasser, is returning to the FSF Board."
Ruthless decisions by Organizations
Way Forward
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My Commitment
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Do something, measure it and then improve upon it- iterative problem solving
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Thank you!