Khoury’s State of the Culture creates space for conversation on diversity and identity in computer science
Date: 04.07.21
This week’s inaugural State of the Culture, hosted by Khoury College, will showcase the lived experiences of many industry leaders on equity and inclusion in computing.
The three-day conference begins on April 7, and will focus on the intersections of career-building, identity, and technology. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from industry leaders on their career paths and efforts to foster inclusion within their organizations.
Panelists include Accenture senior analyst Efe Fruci, NASA rocket scientist Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution senior engineer Gwyneth E. Packard, and more. Speakers from Latinas in Tech, Black in Robotics, Microsoft, Airbnb and more will also join the event.
“With a lens on BIPOC experiences, the conference aims to inspire creativity and innovation while also shaping the next generation of computer scientists,” says Ashley Armand, the academic advisor for Khoury’s Align master’s program and the conference’s organizer.
Sessions will tackle a variety of topics, including disability and accessibility in the workplace, experiences of Latina and Black women in tech fields, and more. Each day will begin with a breathing exercise led by Sagar Rajpal, the senior assistant director of Spiritual Life at Northeastern, designed to alleviate stress and act as a form of meditation before participants join sessions about often-difficult subjects.
“There are so many societal issues that are deeply impacting many of us,” Armand said, explaining why she arranged for a daily meditation session. “It’s important to breathe and be centered so that you are open to learning, engaging and connecting with others.”
Participants will be able to hear about career paths and experiences in robotics, gaming, cybersecurity, ocean engineering, and other computer science fields. Beyond just career advice, the conference is designed to uplift the perspectives of people who have had a direct hand in making the tech industry more inclusive — and inspire the next generation of computer scientists to do the same. The aim is to continue building Khoury’s culture as one that champions diversity, equity and inclusion.
“All of the speakers include identity in their work and make it known that their work is interdisciplinary,” Armand said.
Armand mentioned the deep impacts identity and lived experiences have on computing, including when developing new technologies and algorithms or thinking about what communities technology serves and doesn’t serve. All of these topics and more will be discussed at State of the Culture.
“Identity is deeply intertwined with technology,” Armand said, re-emphasizing the conference theme.
Registration for State of the Culture is free and remains open through April 9. You can find out the full schedule and register here.