Integrating Intersectionality in Software Engineering

Abstract

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is important for Software Engineering because it creates better software and a more inclusive environment that benefits individuals, organisations and society as a whole. To gain a comprehensive understanding of DEI in SE, it is important to do so through an intersectional lens for a deeper exploration of the complexities and nuances of the issues and possible solutions to these. We conducted an exploratory study with 17 software engineering stakeholders in a country from the Global North and a country in the Global South. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and analysis of documentation. We propose an integrative model of intersectionality in SE. Based on the findings, the research concludes that intersectionality as a model to address DEI needs to be acknowledged in the field of SE. While similar themes were present for both Norway and Brazil, participants interviewed in Brazil, experienced more challenges related to socioeconomic status, which was not brought up by any of the Norwegian participants, calling attention to the need to overcome the tendency of generalizing findings based on data collected only in the Global North.

Keywords: software engineering, Intersectionality, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion