The W's of Diversity

An examination of systemic problems encountered by underrepresented groups in technology.

Transcript

1. Google confidential │ Do not distribute The W’s of Diversity Julia Ferraioli Senior Developer Advocate Tuesday, July 1, 14
2. The A Way Forward 1 2 3 4 Setting the Stage Some Stats of Today(ish) The W’s Tuesday, July 1, 14
3. The A Way Forward 1 2 3 4 Setting the Stage Some Stats of Today(ish) The W’s Tuesday, July 1, 14
4. Setting the Stage Tuesday, July 1, 14
5. Motivation Tuesday, July 1, 14
6. Creative Commons image courtesy of Niki Odolphie It’s a maze There’s a desire to help, but fear of causing harm. Tuesday, July 1, 14
7. Creative Commons image courtesy of Don Miller I have hope We know things can get better, because we’ve seen better. Tuesday, July 1, 14
8. Why I care Tuesday, July 1, 14
9. NYTimes: Bucking the trend at women’s colleges Educated at a women’s college: • Focused on learning • Treated as an intellectual equal • Equal participation in group projects Tuesday, July 1, 14
10. Creative Commons image courtesy of Tony Werman From my first experiences in industry, I was: • Assumed to be nontechnical • Assumed to be a diversity hire • Witness to derogatory remarks about my gender Tuesday, July 1, 14
11. The A Way Forward 1 2 3 4 Setting the Stage Some Stats of Today(ish) The W’s Tuesday, July 1, 14
12. In higher education Tuesday, July 1, 14
13. 1984 2010 2012 37.1 18.2 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 CS degrees awarded to women 2002 2004 2006 2008 27.5 25.1 20.7 17.7 18.2 Source: NSF report from 2012 % Tuesday, July 1, 14
14. American Indian or Alaska Native Asian or Pacific Islander Hispanic Black White 0 15,000 30,000 27,067 4,847 4,210 3,964 231 Source: NSF report from 2012 CS degrees broken down by race or ethnicity Tuesday, July 1, 14
15. ...broken down by sex American Indian or Alaska Native Asian or Pacific Islander Hispanic Black White 0 15,000 30,000 3,986 1,460 791 874 50 23,081 3,387 3,419 3,090 181 Male Female Source: NSF report from 2012 Tuesday, July 1, 14
16. In industry Creative Commons image courtesy of Andrew Horne Tuesday, July 1, 14
17. 0 500,000 1,000,000 998,000 4,000 85,000 46,000 215,000 4,000 Source: NSF report from 2010 Employed broken down by sex Male Female American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Tuesday, July 1, 14
18. Source: HBR report from 2010 Attrition of Women in Technology Tuesday, July 1, 14
19. The A Way Forward 1 2 3 4 Setting the Stage Some Stats of Today(ish) The W’s Tuesday, July 1, 14
20. Problems faced the what Tuesday, July 1, 14
21. Gaslighting or gas-lighting is a form of mental abuse in which false information is presented with the intent of making victims doubt their own memory, perception, and sanity. - Wikipedia on gaslighting Google confidential │ Do not distribute “Are you sure that’s what actually happened?” - <Your colleague here> Creative Commons image courtesy of Mike GL Tuesday, July 1, 14
22. Unequal opportunity Can feel like jealousy and is easily (and wrongfully) dismissed as such. Creative Commons image courtesy of ESO/S. Brunier Tuesday, July 1, 14
23. Google confidential │ Do not distribute Creative Commons image courtesy of Tanya Harassment & assault • Insults based on minority status • Broad generalization of groups, framed as “poking fun” • Violation of consent Tuesday, July 1, 14
24. Lack of mentorship • Mentor population reflects industry population • Mentors more likely to select mentees that mirror themselves • Lack of mentor diversity makes it harder to raise issues of discrimination & bias Creative Commons image courtesy of daveynin Tuesday, July 1, 14
25. Current timelines the when Tuesday, July 1, 14
26. During the formative period Isolation Pursuit of other paths Excitement Curiosity Diverse Start of attrition Start of bias Pre-secondary Secondary Undergraduate Tuesday, July 1, 14
27. Early stage career Developing coping mechanisms First encounter with HR Eager Enthusiastic Creative Switched teams Found allies Entering workforce First performance review First promotion Tuesday, July 1, 14
28. Mid to late stage career Tuesday, July 1, 14
29. Environments that host them the where Tuesday, July 1, 14
30. Language the implications of “culture fit” Creative Commons image courtesy of Brenda Gottsabend Tuesday, July 1, 14
31. Public fora • Online threats • In person dismissal of expertise • Assumption of role • Inappropriate questions Creative Commons image courtesy of Robert Lowe Tuesday, July 1, 14
32. Long and short-term effects the why Tuesday, July 1, 14
33. Short term can increase frequency of impostor syndrome Creative Commons image courtesy of JE Theriot Tuesday, July 1, 14
34. Creative Commons image courtesy of Tim Green Long term people leave Tuesday, July 1, 14
35. Not pictured here the who Tuesday, July 1, 14
36. Unfamiliar voices the people you don’t know...and who don’t know you Creative Commons image courtesy of Loren Kerns Tuesday, July 1, 14
37. Unexpected sources the people you know...and trust, and respect Creative Commons image courtesy of Maria Keays Tuesday, July 1, 14
38. Google confidential │ Do not distribute Creative Commons image courtesy of Paul Keller Exclusion from one group does not prevent you from participation of excluding behaviors of another. MVC: Not a Tech Bro, but Not a Tech Lady Tuesday, July 1, 14
39. The A Way Forward 1 2 3 4 Setting the Stage Some Stats of Today(ish) The W’s Tuesday, July 1, 14
40. The A Way Forward Tuesday, July 1, 14
41. Google confidential │ Do not distribute Creative Commons image courtesy of Evan Bench Educate • Understand the scope of the problem • Listen actively to others • Examine behaviors • Research approaches that have worked Tuesday, July 1, 14
42. Google confidential │ Do not distribute Creative Commons image courtesy of Matthew Keefe Speak up • Correct harmful language • Call out inappropriate behavior • Address problems with how people are treated Tuesday, July 1, 14
43. Google confidential │ Do not distribute Creative Commons image courtesy of LadyDragonflyCC Act • Become a mentor • Open a dialogue • Volunteer with youth programs • Focus on creating a welcoming newcomer experience Tuesday, July 1, 14
44. Resources • Report on Hispanics in STEM: K-16 http://goo.gl/JRR3kP • NSF data on women, minorities, and persons with disabilities http://goo.gl/vHdmRm • Reversing the brain drain: Harvard Business Review http://goo.gl/Wi2IZo • Human Rights Campaign corporate equality index http://goo.gl/VLZvdE • How the Boston Python User Group grew to 1700 people and 15+% women http://goo.gl/lNstJp • Unconscious Bias test http://goo.gl/c6ICXP Tuesday, July 1, 14