Webinar On Demand

Time For Disrupting The Status Quo: Diversity In Open Source Software

Recorded April 27, 2021

Join us for Time for Disrupting the Status Quo: Diversity in Open Source Software, with Vandana Singh, Associate Professor, iSchool at University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

In this discussion we will start with understanding 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.

The session will begin with an overview by Vandana Singh (45 minutes) and followed by Q&A – an opportunity to both ask Vandana questions and for group discussion (45 minutes).

Speaker

Vandana Singh , Associate Professor iSchool at University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Dr. Vandana Singh is an Associate Professor at the iSchool at University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Dr. Singh has researched and published about Open Source Software (OSS) for over 15 years. In her latest research, she is diving deep into the experiences of women in OSS and is committed to making a positive impact by her research, her role in educating women and her presentations at diverse venues. She has focused specifically on the gender and diversity problem of OSS. She has used interviews, surveys, and content analysis methodologies and published her research in international research venues. For more details, please refer to: https://sis.utk.edu/vandana/women-in-oss

Her research focuses on the use of technology in various settings and includes Computer Supported Cooperative Work, Online Communities, Software Development, and Social Justice. Her research has been 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. Dr. Singh’s research publications have received several awards at different venues, including best research paper awards.