Contributor, Developer and Volunteer Experience: Navigating Challenges Beyond Code
2023-08-16 , HS 119 - Maintainer track

Let's Talk Inclusivity and Mental Health.

What's beyond the lines of code? Let's explore the spectrum of experiences, from contributors to volunteers, developers to conference attendees.

Join us to share your insights, experiences, and solutions for a more supportive and inclusive scientific Python ecosystem. Let's empower one another and shape a community that thrives on empathy, understanding, and collaboration.


In the ever-evolving realm of the scientific Python community, we often emphasize the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. But what does it truly mean to be inclusive, especially when it comes to mental health?

From contributors shaping open-source projects to volunteers lending their time, and developers harnessing powerful libraries, every experience is a piece of the puzzle.

How can we strike a balance between accommodating mental health needs and maintaining the productivity and efficiency of open source projects or community contributions?
How do we ensure that individuals with mental health challenges are heard, and their perspectives are valued equally?
What strategies can open source maintainers and community leaders implement to create a more inclusive space where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns?
Are there specific practices or policies that organizations or communities should adopt to support contributors or volunteers facing mental health challenges without compromising the quality of their work?
How can we foster an atmosphere of empathy and understanding within developer communities, where individuals feel comfortable expressing their struggles without fear of judgment?
What role should conference organizers play in ensuring that their events are accessible and accommodating to participants with various mental health needs?
How can we ensure that the dialogue around mental health remains respectful and productive, even when there are disagreements or differing opinions within the community?

Join us to share your insights, experiences, and solutions for a more supportive and inclusive scientific Python ecosystem. Let's empower one another and shape a community that thrives on empathy, understanding, and collaboration.


Abstract as a tweet

What's beyond the lines of code? Let's explore the spectrum of experiences, from contributors to volunteers, developers to conference attendees.

Category [High Performance Computing]

Other

Category [Community, Education, and Outreach]

Diversity and Inclusion

Category [Machine and Deep Learning]

Other

Category [Scientific Applications]

Other

Category [Data Science and Visualization]

Other

Expected audience expertise: Domain

none

Expected audience expertise: Python

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Before working in Developer Relations, Cheuk has been a Data Scientist in various companies which demands high numerical and programmatical skills, especially in Python. To follow her passion for the tech community, Cheuk is now the Developer Advocate at Anaconda. Cheuk also contributes to multiple Open Source libraries like Hypothesis and Pandas.

Besides her work, Cheuk enjoys talking about Python on personal streaming platforms and podcasts. Cheuk has also been a speaker at Universities and various conferences. Besides speaking at conferences, Cheuk also organises events for developers. Conferences that Cheuk has organized include EuroPython (which she is a board member), PyData Global and Pyjamas Conf. Believing in Tech Diversity and Inclusion, Cheuk constantly organizes workshops and mentored sprints for minority groups. In 2021, Cheuk has become a Python Software Foundation fellow.

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Dr Maren Westermann works as a machine learning engineer at DB Systel GmbH and holds a PhD in environmental science. She is a self taught Pythonista, an active open source contributor, especially to the library scikit-learn, and is a co-organiser of PyLadies Berlin where she hosts monthly open source hack nights.

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Stefania studied physics and worked in IT and data science in the UK, Germany and Italy. She's involved with Python, Mozilla and data science communities, and data science projects.

She manages the Italian chapter of effective altruism and a professional group of experienced or aspiring people in the field of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence involved in that community of effective altruists. She recently joined ENAIS (European Network for AI Safety) as executive director.

Giada Pistilli is a philosophy researcher specializing in ethics applied to Conversational AI. Her research is mainly focused on ethical frameworks, value theory, and applied and descriptive ethics. After obtaining a master’s degree in ethics and political philosophy at Sorbonne University, she pursued her doctoral research in the same faculty. Giada is also Principal Ethicist at Hugging Face, where she conducts philosophical and interdisciplinary research on AI Ethics and content moderation. Her publications, resume, and contact information are available on her website.

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