Diversity in Open Source Software
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US-RSE DEI-WG Speaker Series Info
The US-RSE DEI-WG is working to bring to the US-RSE community quarterly visits from RSE professionals with vested interests or research into DEI in the RSE community at large. Our community pledges to continually educate ourselves through research on best practices focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. US-RSE is committed to providing an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all and to promoting and encouraging diversity throughout the RSE community. We encourage everyone to suggest speakers and topics and are open to different formats and timelines of the events. Feedback is much appreciated.
Event
The US-RSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group (DEI-WG) is proud to welcome Vandana Singh to present her talk “Diversity in Open Source Software.” This event will take place Wednesday, Aug 31st at 1 PM PT / 2 PM MT / 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET
Abstract
Dr. Vandana Singh’s research investigates the experiences of marginalized groups within technical fields like software engineering and information technology. In this discussion, Dr. Singh will start by discussing the current status of Diversity in Open Source Software (OSS), especially with respect to women of OSS and their experiences of being in OSS communities. Dr. Singh will share some results from her research on this topic and will discuss recent events pertinent to Diversity in OSS. Then, we will look at some current initiatives that address this challenge and together identify what more can be done. What are the glaring gaps, what should the organizations be doing to support women in OSS? We will conclude with setting intentions for a stronger path forward for empowering women and women leaders in OSS with concrete recommendations for communities and guidelines for women to be successful in OSS.
Biography
Dr. Vandana Singh is a Professor at the School of Information Sciences, and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville. Her research focuses on the use of technology in various settings and includes Gender and Information Technology; Open Source Software; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Online Learning; Rural Libraries and Technology; STEM education. Her research is funded by federal agencies such as National Science Foundation (NSF), IMLS, and the United States Geological Society (USGS). Her research is published in top information science journals, national and international conferences, and books. She teaches Information Technology courses, including Web Design, Usability Testing, IT Foundations, and DEI for Technology/Information Professionals. Currently, Singh serves as an Executive Committee Member for Association for Computing Machinery-Women and the programming chair for the National Center for Women & Information Technology Academic Alliance. To know more about Dr. Singh, please visit her website at https://sis.utk.edu/vandana/ or follow her on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vand_anaSingh