TechDebt 2024
Sun 14 - Mon 15 April 2024 Lisbon, Portugal
co-located with ICSE 2024
ICSE 2024 (series) /

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are concepts centered on the development of attitudes toward providing equal opportunity for individuals (equity), recognizing personal, social, and cultural differences (diversity), and encouraging everyone to participate in spaces and debates (inclusion). To promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, ICSE 2024 aims for:

  • Committee diversity – recruiting qualified members of the organization committee, members of technical committees, and reviewers to compose a diverse team in regard to various social, cultural and economic statuses and skills (e.g., gender, countries, and research expertise).

  • Speaker diversity – inviting speakers and panellists from diverse populations, backgrounds, and research areas within software engineering, to increase diversity in thinking and perspectives.

  • Bias mitigation – promoting double-blind reviewing, as a means to mitigate unconscious (unintentional) biases against social, cultural and economic statuses (e.g., national origin, gender, sexual orientation, and race). Additionally, we are encouraging reviewers to be empathetic and kind when reviewing papers.

  • EDI awareness – we encourage all members of committees, reviewers, and participants to dedicate some time to improve their understanding of EDI and the importance of EDI in the various software engineering activities.

  • Participation – we expect every person participating at ICSE 2024 to contribute to the establishment of an environment where everyone feels welcome, included, respected, and safe about their social, cultural, and economic statuses (e.g., national origin, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other individual aspect).

  • Student travel awards - in addition to merit and need, decisions about student travel awards will consider diversity with respect to social, cultural, and economic concerns such as gender, age, geography, and research area.

This EDI plan aims to promote an environment that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive at ICSE 2024 in Lisbon. By fostering accessible and welcoming environments, and actively embracing diverse perspectives, the objective is to create a conference atmosphere where every participant feels both valued and empowered. Drawing inspiration from the EDI experiences of previous editions of ICSE, this plan seeks to build upon those lessons to enhance the overall participant experience in Lisbon 2024.

IEEE Computer Society Open Conference Statement

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are central to the goals of the IEEE Computer Society and all of its conferences. Equity at its heart is about removing barriers, biases, and obstacles that impede equal access and opportunity to succeed. Diversity is fundamentally about valuing human differences and recognizing diverse talents. Inclusion is the active engagement of Diversity and Equity.

A goal of the IEEE Computer Society is to foster an environment in which all individuals are entitled to participate in any IEEE Computer Society activity free of discrimination. For this reason, the IEEE Computer Society is firmly committed to team composition in all sponsored activities, including but not limited to technical committees, steering committees, conference organizations, standards committees, and ad hoc committees that display Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

IEEE Computer Society meetings, conferences, and workshops must provide a welcoming, open and safe environment, that embraces the value of every person, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, or disability. All individuals are entitled to participate in any IEEE Computer Society activity free of discrimination, including harassment based on any of the above factors.

Events

In alignment with previous editions of ICSE, our strategy is to foster inclusive spaces within the conference that facilitate connections and interactions among individuals from various underrepresented groups. As part of this initiative, we intend to have a series of events, including:

  1. Women@ICSE Lunch: On a designated day in the conference schedule, we would like to have a laid-back environment specifically for women participants. This dedicated space will provide an opportunity for women to come together, share a meal, engage in conversations, and foster meaningful connections. The goal is to not only facilitate networking but also to enhance the sense of community and support among women in the software engineering field during the conference.

  2. LGBTQI+@ICSE Lunch: During a designated day in the conference schedule, we are committed to establishing a relaxed and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ participants to have lunch together. This event, which has been successfully hosted in other conferences and is endorsed by important researchers in the field, such as Alexander Serebrenik and Frederica Sarro, aims to bring together individuals within the LGBTQ+ community attending ICSE. By fostering a sense of community and inclusion, we aim to contribute to a supportive networking environment for LGBTQ+ professionals in the software engineering field.

  3. BIPOC@ICSE Café: In an effort to promote diversity and inclusivity at the conference, we would like to introduce a dedicated café for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) participants. This gathering will offer a welcoming environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can connect and share experiences.

  4. Conversation Café on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): The EDI Café will be a distinctive feature of the conference dedicated to advancing conversations on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in software engineering. This café will host a dynamic panel discussion featuring 3-5 expert panelists who will present cutting-edge research and engage in thoughtful discussions on various EDI-related topics, addressing challenges, sharing insights, and exploring innovative solutions. This interactive session aims to not only showcase the importance of EDI in the field but also foster a collaborative environment where attendees can actively participate, learn, and contribute to advancing EDI principles within the software engineering community.

Publicity Fostering EDI. In response to suggestions received via email, we are keen on formulating a strategic plan to enhance the visibility of ICSE within African universities, with the aim of significantly increasing the representation of researchers and students from the continent. Recognizing the current underrepresentation, our approach involves collaborating closely with the publicity co-chairs to identify and contact influential researchers within African countries to seek their support in promoting the conference among their peers, leveraging their networks to enhance awareness and engagement.

Small Actions – Huge Effect on EDI. In our commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the conference, we have outlined some small yet impactful actions:

  • EDI Stickers: We are pleased to have prepared a collection of sticker packs, that will be conveniently available at the registration desk for participants to personalize their badges. These packs include a diverse range of options, such as stickers representing LGBTQIA+ pride, feminism, hobbies, as well as computer, software, and nerd themes. This initiative aims to provide attendees with a means of self-expression, allowing them to showcase their interests and affiliations, contributing to a more inclusive and welcoming conference environment.

Contacts

Please contact the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chairs for more information: