Title: Where Code and Culture Meet in Computing: Contextualizing Ongoing Sociotechnical Challenges

Dates: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 Eastern
Location: Remote
Link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/97254837176?pwd=dElaVTRIbEdqMHhlY05GT3BnQjVtdz09

Ari Schlesinger

Human-Centered Computing

School of Interactive Computing

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee:
Dr. Annie I Antón (Advisor), School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Rosa Arriaga, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Andrea Grimes Parker, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Ben Wiedermann, Computer Science, Harvey Mudd College
Dr. Alex S. Taylor, Human Computer Interaction, City, University of London

Summary:
The people and cultural contexts that design computing technologies play a central role in our changing world. While computing is an increasingly essential part of our global infrastructure, the field of computing has largely remained demographically homogeneous. Globally, however, the human species is anything but homogeneous. Difference is an essential part of our cultures and societies. Difference facilitates the various and valuable ways people interact and engage with the world. Despite years and resources spent addressing diversity and inclusion, computing has not seen meaningful improvements in industry, academia, or open source. Computing that strives to serve people must actively engage with the consequences of the past. Computing is not an ahistorical endeavor. Both of the leading professional organizations in computing, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), state that a central aim is to support technical advances that are beneficial for people—ACM’s tagline includes "where computing helps solves tomorrow’s problems" and IEEE’s tagline is "Advancing Technology for Humanity". My proposal provides insight into why computing has struggled in addressing and preventing social harm, what is contributing to these struggles within the technology and culture of the field, and how we can reframe computing to be more human-centered.

My proposed research addresses human-centered computing within computing at large by investigating what impacts the human-interface of a programming language has on equity and inclusion in computing? Programming languages are designed for humans so they can write instructions for computers in a variety of ways and with varying levels of abstraction. Yet, there is little research addressing programming languages as a human-interface or addressing the relationships between programming languages and human-computer interaction. Given that programming languages are a central medium in computing—and are often a core component of tech industry jobs—attention to the human-impacts of programming language design and implementation is warranted.

Zoom Details:

https://gatech.zoom.us/j/97254837176?pwd=dElaVTRIbEdqMHhlY05GT3BnQjVtdz09

Meeting ID: 972 5483 7176

Passcode: 105158