How Much Do You Know About Your Users? A Study of Developer Awareness About Diverse Users
Kiev Santos da Gama, Ana Paula Chaves, Danilo Monteiro Ribeiro, Kezia Devathasan, Daniela Damian · 2024
In our increasingly diverse digital landscape, under-standing and accommodating the needs of various user groups is crucial. Our research paper investigates the understanding and practices that developers have of considering diversity dimensions within their user base, in terms of Race and Ethnicity, Gender, Disability, Neurodiversity, and Age. In this research preview, we report on a preliminary mixed-method study that used an online questionnaire and interviews to collect input on developers' perceptions and measures for considering user diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the products they develop. Our findings indicate that developers from some underrepresented groups tend to exhibit greater awareness of user diversity, and their membership might have a positive effect on their team and company's perception of D&I. Our study highlights the need to enhance developer empathy and broaden their awareness about diversity. This research highlights the pivotal role of developers in creating inclusive software and underscores the importance of integrating diversity and inclusion principles into software development processes for a more representative and inclusive digital environment.