1,697 research outputs found
How remote work can foster a more inclusive environment for transgender developers
In this position paper, we claim that remote work offers a mechanism of control for identity disclosure and empowerment of software developers from marginalized communities. By talking to several transgender software developers we identified three themes that resonate across the trans experience and intersect with the advantages to working in software development remotely: identity disclosure, high-impact technical work and the autonomy to disengage and re-engage. Based on these themes we identify several open questions that the research community should address.</p
Benefits and Limitations of Remote Work to LGBTQIA+ Software Professionals
Background. The mass transition to remote work amid the COVID-19 pandemic
profoundly affected software professionals, who abruptly shifted into
ostensibly temporary home offices. The effects of this transition on these
professionals are complex, depending on the particularities of the context and
individuals. Recent studies advocate for remote structures to create
opportunities for many equity-deserving groups; however, remote work can also
be challenging for some individuals, such as women and individuals with
disabilities. Objective. This study aims to investigate the effects of remote
work on LGBTQIA+ software professionals. Method. Grounded theory methodology
was applied based on information collected from two main sources: a survey
questionnaire with a sample of 57 LGBTQIA+ software professionals and nine
follow-up interviews with individuals from this sample. This sample included
professionals of different genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and
levels of experience. Findings. Our findings demonstrate that (1) remote work
benefits LGBTQIA+ people by increasing security and visibility; (2) remote work
harms LGBTQIA+ software professionals through isolation and invisibility; (3)
the benefits outweigh the drawbacks; (4) the drawbacks can be mitigated by
supportive measures developed by software companies. Conclusion. This paper
investigated how remote work can affect LGBTQIA+ software professionals and
presented a set of recommendations on how software companies can address the
benefits and limitations associated with this work model. In summary, we
concluded that remote work is crucial in increasing diversity and inclusion in
the software industry.Comment: 10 page
Hidden Populations in Software Engineering: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Opportunities
The growing emphasis on studying equity, diversity, and inclusion within
software engineering has amplified the need to explore hidden populations
within this field. Exploring hidden populations becomes important to obtain
invaluable insights into the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of
underrepresented groups in software engineering and, therefore, devise
strategies to make the software industry more diverse. However, studying these
hidden populations presents multifaceted challenges, including the complexities
associated with identifying and engaging participants due to their marginalized
status. In this paper, we discuss our experiences and lessons learned while
conducting multiple studies involving hidden populations in software
engineering. We emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing these
challenges within the software engineering research community to foster a more
inclusive and comprehensive understanding of diverse populations of software
professionals
The Power of Immersive Media: Enhancing Empathy through Virtual Reality Experiences
This research paper explores the transformative potential of immersive media, specifically virtual reality (VR), in enhancing empathy among users. Empathy is vital in fostering understanding, compassion, and social cohesion. Immersive media, with its ability to transport individuals into simulated environments and perspectives, offers unique opportunities to bridge the empathy gap. This paper examines how VR can boost empathy, including perspective-taking, emotional connection, experiential learning, breaking down barriers, and empathy-building simulations. It discusses existing studies and empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of VR in promoting empathy. The paper acknowledges the ethical considerations and challenges associated with using VR for empathy enhancement, such as avoiding stereotype reinforcement and ensuring inclusive design. By highlighting the potential of immersive media in cultivating empathy, this research paper contributes to the growing field of empathy research and provides insights for the development and application of VR experiences aimed at fostering empathy and understanding in diverse contexts
Women in the Workplace 2022
Women in the Workplace is the largest study on the state of women in corporate America. In 2015, LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company launched the study to give companies insights and tools to advance gender diversity in the workplace. Between 2015 and 2022, over 810 companies participated in the study, and more than 400,000 people were surveyed on their workplace experiences. This year, we collected information from 333 participating organizations employing more than 12 million people, surveyed more than 40,000 employees, and conducted interviews with women of diverse identities, including women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities. Our 2022 report focuses on how the pandemic has changed what women want from their companies, including the growing importance of opportunity, flexibility, employee well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion
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