npscience / inclusivity-training Goto Github PK

As a starting point, refer to the exchanges on Twitter recently regarding unwelcoming attitudes and behaviours in the open science community: https://twitter.com/protohedgehog/status/871492633238978560.

In particular, this blogpost: https://ironholds.org/not-about-image/

Inspired by The Guilty Feminist, this is a safe space in which to admit our own failings related to this topic, the more humorous the better. Progress towards equality is hard, and we should allow ourselves to be human and to err occasionally. Admitting these errors here not only helps the confessor, but also empowers the readers to begin to admit their own errors.

Assembling a list of simple rules of engagement that may help to build more inclusive conversations:

• Listen more than you speak, unless you represent an underserved community (for me, as a woman, I need to speak more in technology arena; in other places, where whiteness dominates, I need to speak less, unless I'm being an ally to an underserved speaker)

• Don't ask for an oppressed person to do work unless you can keep your end of the bargain and help turn that work into benefit for them (I have asked for more non-white, female voices on twitter but not followed up on this - it's important I do because it cost those people to stand up and ask to be recognised)

• If you ask for contributions from typically oppressed people, how are you going to recompense them?

• When you engage with overserved people (typically white males), check yourself on the effort you put in to support them. Do they need that much of your attention and time? Do the work, but do the minimum and save any more effort to spend on others.

• Learn the context. Not being taught something already is not an excuse for not being aware, Wikipedia exists.

Check out manifesto at https://ocsdnet.org/manifesto/open-science-manifesto/

This TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/verna_myers_how_to_overcome_our_biases_walk_boldly_toward_them?language=en

Given the sensitivity and difficulty level of the aims of this project, it is important that any oppressive behaviours are called out publicly, such that the actor can correct their behaviours. This cannot fairly be done by any single member of the community, let alone one that sits in a position of power.

Whilst I will endeavour to moderate the first conversations whilst a community of moderators builds, I profess myself an inappropriate leader of any moderation effort. However, I will remain a faithful servant to this effort, and pledge to act honestly, fairly and with integrity. We will need a mechanism for calling me out in a way that enables people to do so whenever necessary.

Please self-nominate yourself here should you wish to be a moderator. The responsibilities will be to help monitor the discussions and step in, where appropriate, to ensure the #CODE_OF_CONDUCT is enacted. Such monitoring may include accessing and responding to private messages sent to a community mailing list (as yet not in existence).

Inclusivity: what does it mean?

What's the problem with using this word?
This excellent piece by ... and published in the Huffington Post examines the impact of using soft language to name what is essentially a white-man's effort to counter racism or oppression.