Distributed meetup:Diversity

Mikael Falkvidd

Step 1: Acknowledge the problem

We are all biased.

The largest problem is when we aren't aware of it.

- Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In

Job ads: bad example 1

Job ads: bad example 2

How many women do you think will identify with this description?

Job ads: Simple tricks to use Let a woman write the ad

Stay away from "guru, ninja, superhero"

Show that women are “allowed”, for example by letting them be visible on your web site, publish blog posts, appear in photos and attend public events

Show genuine diversity efforts within the company. Start with what you have and make something of it.

Think about where your ad is shown - go outside the traditional “tech bubble”

Diversity leads to better products"What if we develop a new voice codec that doesn't work with female voices?" - Google

Not limited to gender: The first cameras with face detection were unable to detect non-caucasian people.

By having employees representing the whole user/customer base, it will be easier to consider the different needs and opportunities.

Diversity leads to better profitability

“going from having no women in corporate leadership (the CEO, the board, and other C-suite positions) to a 30%

female share is associated with a one-percentage-point increase in net margin — which translates to a 15%

increase in profitability for a typical firm”

- Harvard Business Review

As a speaker/panelist

Ask the organizers - how many female speakers have you booked?

Consider turning an opportunity down if the panel isn't diverse

Promote diversity in examples, references, images, etc

As organizer of a conference/meetup/etcPut extra effort into finding great female speakers. Use all channels:

Message boards, friends, FB, Rättviseförmedlingen*

Example: At the OWASP Gothenburg security conference, the most popular speaker had a talk about living with an implanted

vulnerable pacemaker

Make sure there is a code of conduct and an anti-harassment policy and that people are aware that they exist and will, if necessary, be

enforced.

MeetingsMake sure everyone gets a chance to say something.

Use round-the-table, post it writing or other techniques to make sure the voice of people who aren't comfortable taking up space is

heard also.

It might be the timid person over in the corner who has the best idea.

UnicornsWomen in tech are few.

Don't put them on pedestals.

Don't expect them to stand on the barricades.

Acknowledge people for their expertise and experience, not for their gender (or race, origin, etc)

Bad example: The CEO of a software company proudly announced the newest employee on the all-employee-meeting with the

following words: "We are very proud to have employed X, especially since she is a woman.

Feminist cookies

When you do something to promote diversity, don't do it because it makes you look good.

Don't expect praise.

This has already happened so many time there is a phrase for it.

That probably means it has happened a lot of times.

Great resources to get startedhttp://geekfeminism.wikia.com https://github.com/dutt/fler_kvinnliga_kodareFeminist Frequency - currently crowdfundinghttp://equality.nyteknik.se@everydaysexism on Twitter / http://everydaysexism.com/ http://rattviseformedlingen.se/nyhet/atta-goa-8-mars-tipsTwo great dsicussions from the FB group "Kodapor" http://goo.gl/z89xwD http://goo.gl/D2u6Idhttp://www.heforshe.org/https://www.ted.com/attend/conferences/special-events/tedwomenCodarica: Computer Science for kidshttp://www.teklafestival.se/https://hbr.org/2016/02/study-firms-with-more-women-in-the-c-suite-are-more-profitablehttp://www.yrkesdorren.se

Lean In by Sheryl SandbergWomen in tech: The Book (will be released March 29th)Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

We can all make a difference You will make mistakes.

That's life.

Everyone can't do everything.

But we can all do something.

“Ask yourself: if not me, who? If not now, when?”- UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson