Navigating the Growing Diversity Challenges in OSS - Zixuan Feng, Oregon State University & Diane Mueller, Bitergia
Open source software (OSS) thrives on diversity, inclusivity, and a global community of contributors. However, beneath this ideal lies a complex reality of challenges in maintaining a truly diverse and inclusive environment. This talk delves into these challenges, drawing from years of extensive research and collaboration between industry experts from Bitergia, researchers from Oregon State University, and Eindhoven University of Technology. We will discuss the multidimensional nature of diversity in OSS, encompassing aspects such as gender, culture, language, and more. Our talk highlights the struggles in achieving inclusivity in OSS communities. We also introduce a pioneering tool to help community managers monitor project diversity. While these tools mark a significant step forward, we'll also address their limitations and the ongoing struggle to capture the full spectrum of diversity. This presentation aims to ignite a meaningful conversation about redefining measuring the inclusivity of OSS. By advocating for the recognition of diverse contributors, our goal is to foster a holistic and balanced OSS environment.