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{{Paper
|id=Vol-3618/forum_paper_1
|storemode=property
|title=Inclusive conceptual modeling: Diversity, equity, involvement, and belonging in conceptual modeling (short paper)
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3618/forum_paper_1.pdf
|volume=Vol-3618
|authors=Roman Lukyanenko,Dominik Bork,Veda C. Storey,Jeffrey Parsons,Oscar Pastor
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/er/LukyanenkoBSP023
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==Inclusive conceptual modeling: Diversity, equity, involvement, and belonging in conceptual modeling (short paper)==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3618/forum_paper_1.pdf
Inclusive conceptual modeling: Diversity, equity,
involvement, and belonging in conceptual modeling
Roman Lukyanenko1, Dominik Bork2, Veda C. Storey3, Jeffrey Parsons4, Oscar Pastor5
1 University of Virginia, 140 Hospital Dr, Charlottesville, 22903, United States
2 TU Wien, Business Informatics Group, Favoritenstrasse 9-11, 1040 Vienna, Austria
3 Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3965. Atlanta, GA 30302 Country, United States
4 Memorial University of Newfoundland, P.O. Box 4200, 230 Elizabeth Avenue St. John's, NL A1C 5S7 Canada
5 Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camí de Vera, s/n, 46022 València, Spain
Abstract
We propose a vision for inclusive conceptual modeling. The urgency to address inclusiveness comes
from two converging trends: the deepening reliance on information technology; and broader
engagement of the members of the public in IT development and use, including conceptual modeling. In
this paper, we propose inclusive conceptual modeling as a critical direction for conceptual modeling
research, explain its basic tenets and illustrate corresponding research opportunities.
Keywords
Inclusive conceptual modeling, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Involvement, Belonging 1
1. Introduction
As reliance on information technology (IT) deepens, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to
benefit from IT is critical and urgent. Because conceptual modeling plays a key role in shaping the
design and use of IT, inclusion in conceptual modeling is vital to ensure inclusive IT.
Conceptual modeling faces its own, unique inclusion challenges. For example, conceptual
modeling languages and methods have been criticized for the insufficient support of non-IT
experts and people with disabilities, despite increased involvement of novices in modeling [1],
[2]. In addition, the medium of conceptual modeling is nearly exclusively visual, excluding people
with visual impairments [1], [3], [4].
Some efforts to make conceptual modeling more inclusive exist. These include a proposal for
disability-aware conceptual modeling [1], principles for universal conceptual modeling [3],
gender-inclusive requirements engineering [5], modeling to support empowered users [2],
among others. More broadly, conceptual modeling is often conducted within the context of such
inclusive approaches as Agile, DevOps, and participatory design [6].
However, no conception of inclusive conceptual modeling exists and apart from a few recent
efforts, the modeling community has generally ignored this issue [1]. Furthermore, as a recent
study on gender inclusion in requirements elicitation suggests, many challenges to inclusion
persist [5]. The IT systems continue to discriminate against users whose characteristics are
underrepresented in the development process [7]. By becoming more inclusive, conceptual
modeling can both increase its value for broader audiences and promote greater inclusion in IT
development and use. This vision paper aims to catalyze these efforts by outlining a vision and a
framework for inclusive conceptual modeling.
2. Inclusive Conceptual Modeling Framework
Consistent with on-going efforts within society, we propose that inclusiveness is a critical matter
for conceptual modeling to remain relevant. Inclusive conceptual modeling is based on social,
economic, and moral imperatives.
ER2023: Companion Proceedings of the 42nd International Conference on Conceptual Modeling: ER Forum, 7th
SCME, Project Exhibitions, Posters and Demos, and Doctoral Consortium, November 06-09, 2023, Lisbon, Portugal
romanl@virginia.edu (R. Lukyanenko)
© 2023 Copyright for this paper by its authors.
Use permitted under Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
CEUR Workshop Proceedings (CEUR-WS.org)
CEUR
ceur-ws.org
Workshop ISSN 1613-0073
Proceedings
Studies demonstrate that diverse teams produce more novel and higher-impact ideas (e.g. [8]).
In 2016, the US President Barack Obama [9] summarized research findings and their implications
as: “[r]esearch has shown that diverse groups are more effective at problem solving than
homogeneous groups, and policies that promote diversity and inclusion will enhance our ability
to draw from the broadest possible pool of talent, [and] solve our toughest challenges.” The
benefits of inclusion are also found in software development contexts [5]. Beyond the economic
imperative, there is an overshadowing moral one. Caring, collaborating, and supporting each
other, no matter the differences, is a hallmark of humanity.
To motivate specific research directions, we formulate the Inclusive Conceptual Modeling
Framework derived from prior research on inclusion [9]–[11]. We define inclusion as the culture
and activities that allow and encourage people with multiple backgrounds, beliefs, mindsets, and
abilities to realize their potential in some activity. Commonly, inclusive culture is understood as
a multifaceted environment and the concerted efforts to build and maintain such an environment
[12]. Inclusive environments are characterized by diversity, involvement, equity, and belonging
[10], [12]. These should serve as key considerations of inclusive conceptual modeling.
According to the World Bank, social inclusion is the process of improving the ability,
opportunity, and worthiness of people, disadvantaged based on their identity, to take part in
society [13]. Diversity is concerned with representation, but representation alone does not
guarantee all voices are heard and considered. As Vernā Myers of LinkedIn, remarked: “Diversity
is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance” [14]. Hence, access to key
opportunities to promote active involvement of people, no matter their differences (including in
opinions and beliefs), is necessary. Equity is fair and just treatment for all, while striving to
identify and eliminate inequities and barriers. Finally, inclusive environments cultivate a sense
of belonging. They draw people in and ensure those who voluntarily choose to engage feel they
are full members of the community where they are comfortable, appreciated, and where they can
self-realize and thrive [10], [12].
We now adapt these ideas to conceptual modeling. Inclusive conceptual modeling is ensuring
and promoting diversity, equity, involvement, and belonging of people with different
backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities so they can realize their full potential in conceptual modeling
and its related activities. This definition provides the foundations of the Inclusive Conceptual
Modeling Framework.
Given that conceptual modeling is part of broader IT development and use, however, we
suggest distinct but partially overlapping ways inclusive conceptual modeling research can be
conducted: inward and outward inclusive activities. Inward inclusive conceptual modeling is an
objective to ensure the principal practices of conceptual modeling are inclusive with respect to
the facets of inclusion (diversity, involvement, equity, and belonging). Inward inclusive modeling
focuses on ensuring modeling artifacts and processes are designed to be accessible to as many
people as possible. For example, using a conceptual modeling language that many different
people can use because it has a simple and accessible notation is more inwardly inclusive than
using a conceptual modeling language with complex notation that requires specialized training.
Hence, a language that is primarily expressed using visual symbols or that uses advanced
vocabulary may systematically exclude specific segments of the population.
An important research topic arising from this view is understanding the requirements
different people have for modeling. It is critical to move beyond the traditional constituency of
modeling – IT professions – as increasingly members of the public are becoming model users and
designers. Additionally, conceptual modeling symbols that originate in one culture might not be
easily understood by those from another culture. An open research area is developing languages
and methods that are inclusive, including but not limited to disability, gender, and culture
considerations. Assessments of inclusion quality of models and modeling languages are also
needed. These assessments can establish the boundary conditions for when a particular
conceptual modeling solution is appropriate, and how it can be made more inclusive.
Tools of conceptual modeling may also exclude or discourage users [1]. For example, as Nunes
et al. [5] suggest, learning and engaging with tools “through tinkering” may discourage female
users. As conceptual modeling activities are increasingly being automated, not only do the rules
and constructs of modeling need to be accessible, but also how they are introduced and
manipulated by the tools.
To cultivate inclusive conceptual modeling, the language in which conceptual modeling
activities is couched must be sensitive to the needs of diverse people. For example, the language
of conceptual modeling must be invariant to genders and identities. Presently, little guidance for
language inclusiveness is provided during the design of conceptual modeling languages, such as
names of entity types, relationship types or roles (cf. [15]). Prior research mainly considered
semantic and ontological parameters [16]. Conceptual modeling research can consider the
recommendations from diversity and inclusion leaders, such as the American Psychological
Association on inclusive concepts and language (e.g., “they” to refer to individuals) [11].
Outward inclusive conceptual modeling is the aim of broader, more “ambassadorial”
activities undertaken by the conceptual modeling community as part of IT development and use.
The conceptual modeling community has an important role to play in encouraging greater
inclusivity in IT development and use. This can be “leading by example” but also actively
collaborating with the relevant IT development and use communities to address common
inclusion challenges.
A new area of research is artificial intelligence (AI)-supported conceptual modeling, focusing
on topics such as mining models from process data and creating AI-supported learning and
modeling tools. The coupling of conceptual modeling with AI creates opportunities for conceptual
modeling researchers to collaborate with the AI research community, which is grappling with
issues of inclusion, fairness, and algorithmic bias.
Figure 1. Inclusive Conceptual Modeling Framework
One way to develop inclusive software is to make it more modular, flexible, and personalized.
Traditional conceptual modeling may be a bottleneck for these initiatives. While conceptual
modeling methods are participative, and often elicit individual requirements, these are
commonly reconciled into “unified" models. More research on federated conceptual models
(analogous to federated schemas and data lakes) is needed. Such models may preserve the
individual views of the users, without reconciling them, and seek to analyze and capture the
differences, rather than similarities (as in unified models) more systematically. These differences
can inform the development of more adaptive and personalized IT.
Broadly, conceptual modeling, through its inherent human focus, is well-positioned to
facilitate involvement of underrepresented people with IT, reduce or remove participation
barriers, and increase the sense of belonging. Often these benefits of modeling were implicit;
more explicit research attention to how conceptual modeling can contribute to inclusive IT stands
to uncover unrealized opportunities. The ideas of the Inclusive Conceptual Modeling Framework
are visually captured in Figure 1.
3. Conclusion and outlook for future
Conceptual modeling continues to be an important part of IT development. Consistent with
efforts within society, we propose that inclusiveness is critical for conceptual modeling. Inclusive
conceptual modeling seeks to ensure that the artifacts and activities of conceptual modeling are
accessible to the broadest audience possible and that barriers to participation in conceptual
modeling are removed or minimized. In this vision paper, we establish the need for inclusive
conceptual modeling. To this end, we hope to spark awareness to this important objective, and
thereby steer research toward improving inward and outward inclusiveness in conceptual
modeling.
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