[EuroPython] Lack of diversity within selected talks

[Roberto Polli]

Hi @all,

On Tuesday 15 April 2014 02:28:50 Lynn Root wrote:
> For those of you who do not know me..
Everybody.py knows you, Lynn! 

> - talk selection was/is being done blindly, as in no identifying
> information about the speaker is revealed
> -#2 there are very little women on that preliminary talk list slated to
> speak
> -#3 there are multiple selected speakers slated to give multiple selected
> talks

> If you do not find a problem with item #2 and #3, please read this
> article [1] about importance of diversity in a technical field.
I agree diversity (of speakers/subjects) is a value, in every declination 
(we're not only our gender).

I'm sure Guido van Rossum and Alex Martelli could have send ten (all award 
winning) talks. But a  two-rockstar conference doesn't mean a better 
conference for the community. 

I think the committee consider that, and made their choice.

> Here are my suggestions to rectify this issue:
> - limit speakers to only give one talk. Yes this means going back on the
> original acceptance.
imho we could gently ask to the selected speakers to give away one or more 
talk in favor of the others: limiting the talks to one is unfair at the 
moment. And I'm sure that we'll reach the same aim without forcing out 
anybody. 

> - reopen CfP and reach out to PyLadies globally to help get the word
> out. As one of the main leaders of the global organization, I know this
> did not happen originally.
Not entirely fair, even for ladies awaiting for the final schedule. 
I agree instead to set gender quotas (eg. 40% minimum for the less-represented 
gender). But imho rules should be set *before* the review process.

> - re-review the talks. Give preference or help for those who would be
> first time speakers.
Agree to some precedence to first-time speakers and grow our community.

> ..create general availability during the time that the CfP is reopened
> to help those who want it craft a good proposal.
imho again: reopening is unfair towards people who made their homework ;)
During the review process, author had all the time to browse all proposals and 
fix their one.

> ... the blind selection ... the result is troubling...
Identifying authors won't have changed anything, but in any case I'm on the 
full-disclosure side. 

> But this email is to address what I feel needs to change.
Thx for writing! Your contribution is always a precious spark! 

Peace,
R.


> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/technology/technologys-man-problem.html?_r
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Roberto Polli
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