=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-3946/DARLI-AP_paper13
|storemode=property
|title=Diverse Minds, Collective Mission: Surveying the Development of a participative EDI Manifesto
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3946/DARLI-AP-13.pdf
|volume=Vol-3946
|authors=Matteo Berta,Amin Mantrach,Tania Cerquitelli
}}
==Diverse Minds, Collective Mission: Surveying the Development of a participative EDI Manifesto==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3946/DARLI-AP-13.pdf
Diverse Minds, Collective Mission: Surveying the Development
of a Participative EDI Manifesto
Matteo Berta1,∗ , Amin Mantrach2 and Tania Cerquitelli1
1
Politecnico di Torino, Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN), Corso Castelfidardo, 34/d, 10138 Torino TO
2
Amazon, Luxembourg
Abstract
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are crucial for shaping a scientific community that reflects and serves the diversity of society. This
paper centers on the development of a participative EDI Manifesto tailored for Data Science community. To achieve this objective, a
survey was designed as a key tool to collect feedback and insights from diverse participants. The survey engaged researchers, educators
and institutional leaders, with the aim to identify the challenges and priorities associated with EDI and outline actionable strategies for
systemic change.
The participatory approach underscores the importance of integrating diverse perspectives into the creation of the EDI Manifesto,
achieved through the use of a purposefully developed survey as a methodology to gather insights, feedback, and experiences, trying
to ensure representation and intersectionality. Respondents from varied experiences highlighted critical needs and opportunities for
fostering inclusivity in Data Science. The survey served as the foundation for EDI discussions held in occasion of EDI special day during
ACM KDD 2024, which showcased practical applications and reflections of these principles within the field.
The findings underscore the importance of institutional support for ensuring equal opportunities and outcomes, in order to create
awareness and collaboration that could help to the growth of the culture of organizations. Participants emphasized the need for
transparency and open discussions to establish clear policies and enhance the ability of the organization to grow their member in an
equitable way. Priorities also include raising awareness of mental health, ensuring equitable funding, providing comprehensive training,
promoting work-life balance, and placing greater emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals.
Keywords
EDI Manifesto, Scientific Community, Inclusion, Participation, Survey
1. Introduction ing across there varied fields. However, as the field grows
rapidly, it also faces significant challenges related to ensur-
The scientific community plays a pivotal role in shaping ing inclusivity, fairness and accessibility. These challenges
the future of society, driving innovations, and solving crit- are particularly relevant in terms of addressing biases in
ical global challenges. However, for science to fully serve algorithms, ensuring representation in datasets and support-
society, it must reflect the diverse populations it aims to ing marginalized groups within the research field.
benefit. In recent years, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
have become increasingly recognized as essential pillars
for promoting an environment that encourages participa-
1.1. The Importance of EDI in the Scientific
tion, collaboration, and innovation from all groups. In this Community
context, the need for equitable representation and fair oppor- EDI in science extends beyond creating a welcoming envi-
tunities within science is not only a matter of social justice, ronment; it ensures equal opportunities for all individuals
but also contributes to the quality and depth of scientific while addressing systemic barriers [3]. These barriers mani-
research. fest in underrepresentation in leadership, limited resources,
Despite these ideals, systemic barriers and biases per- and biases in hiring, promotion, and collaboration. Educa-
sist within the STEM fields, disproportionately impacting tional disparities further exacerbate these challenges [4].
women and minorities, who remain significantly underrep- Addressing these issues requires institutional reforms and
resented as largely reported by American Association of a commitment to fostering an inclusive research culture [5].
University Women (AAUW) [1], [2]. This lack of diversity A key objective is integrating EDI into research method-
limits the range of perspectives and ideas that drive scien- ologies to enhance rigor and inclusivity. Studies highlight
tific discovery and technological innovation. Women and the need for nuanced demographic data to improve repre-
minority groups face challenges such as unequal access to sentation [6]. Research that considers diverse perspectives
educational resources, implicit bias in hiring and promotion, produces more robust and socially relevant outcomes.
and a lack of role models, all of which create an exclusionary A scientific community that mirrors the heterogeneity of
environment. society ensures broader benefits. The development of an
Data Science, with its interdisciplinary reach spanning EDI Manifesto is a step toward advancing inclusivity and
fields as diverse as medicine and economics, occupies a improving the quality of research.
unique position where the integration of diverse perspec-
tives can ignite innovation and enhance our understand-
1.2. Research Motivation and Research
Published in the Proceedings of the Workshops of the EDBT/ICDT 2025 Questions
Joint Conference (March 25-28, 2025), Barcelona, Spain
∗
†
Corresponding author. This study is driven by the will of creating an EDI Mani-
These authors contributed equally. festo for the data science community, aimed at promoting
Envelope-Open matteo.berta@polito.it (M. Berta); mantrach@amazon.lu fairness, representation and inclusivity, with a focus on en-
(A. Mantrach); tania.cerquitelli@polito.it (T. Cerquitelli)
GLOBE https://github.com/MatteoBerta (M. Berta)
abling sustained and systematic change. To ensure that the
Orcid 0009-0009-3046-0386 (M. Berta); 0000-0002-9039-6226 manifesto is grounded in the real experiences and needs
(T. Cerquitelli) of the community, a survey was developed as a key tool
© 2025 Copyright for this paper by its authors. Use permitted under Creative Commons License
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). to gather insights from a broad, intersectional spectrum of
CEUR
ceur-ws.org
Workshop ISSN 1613-0073
Proceedings
Question Topic Options
Age Range 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+
Demographic Working Environment Academia, Research Industry, Research Institutions, Practitioners, Other
and Undergraduate Student, PhD Student, Early-stage Researcher,
Professional Current Role Senior Researcher, Manager/Head of Research Unit,
DEMOGRAPHIC Data Professor, Other
INFORMATION Gender Identity Gender non-conforming, Man, Woman, Other, Prefer not to say
Identity-Related Residence Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Other
Factors Racial/Ethnic Minority, LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Other,
Minority Group
No, Prefer not to answer
Question
What does respect mean to you?
How would you define an inclusive community?
PERCEPTION
Which are the EDI values in your opinion?
What are the primary barriers to achieve equity in research community?
What type of support is most needed to foster a diverse and inclusive research environment?
Question
What does equity means to you in scientific environment?
THINK-PAIR What does diversity means to you in scientific environment?
SHARE What does inclusion means to you in scientific environment?
What are the priorities to build an EDI community?
What specific programs or initiatives would you recommend to promote an inclusive and equitable environment?
Table 1
Structure of the survey proposed to the audience
participants, including researchers, educators, practitioners 2. Methodology
and industry professionals.
The survey was designed to identify barriers to inclusivity To foster a more inclusive and equitable Data Science re-
and uncover actionable strategies to foster a more equitable search community, we adopted a participatory approach in
environment. The data collected from the survey will serve developing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Man-
as the foundation for the creation of the EDI Manifesto, ifesto. We believe that rather than imposing a top-down
offering a structured framework to advance equity, diversity, directive, we should engage community members through
and inclusion within the Data Science community. a comprehensive survey designed to collect diverse perspec-
Furthermore, the participative approach to developing tives, experiences, and insights. The aim was to ensure that
the EDI Manifesto serves as a model for how the scientific the Manifesto reflects the realities and expectations of those
community can engage in collaborative, inclusive processes. directly involved in the field.
This method not only fosters a more equitable and repre- This participative approach is useful to:
sentative field but also emphasizes the importance of par- 1. Collect diverse perspectives: the manifest should
ticipatory approaches in shaping broader social structures, ensure a wide range of views in order to create a
encouraging democratic and inclusive decision-making in more inclusive framework.
the development of social life.
2. Identify key themes and issues: through the var-
The primary research questions guiding this survey in-
iegated experiences of respondents it is possible to
clude:
identify a wide range of themes and issues.
1. How representative are the survey respondents in 3. Involve people in the process: to ensure that
terms of gender, race, ethnicity, career stage, and individuals can directly impact and influence the
geographic location compared to the overall Data principles and commitments to be included in the
Science workforce? Manifesto.
2. What do respect, inclusion, diversity and equity 4. Create further discussions: the survey is a way
mean to the practitioners in the scientific commu- to ignite discussions on these themes.
nity?
3. What are the key challenges related to equity, di- 2.1. Description of the Survey
versity and inclusion in scientific environment as
identified by practitioners and educators? After defining our research questions, we structured the
4. What strategies and actions are deemed most effec- survey into three phases to capture diverse experiences,
tive for overcoming these challenges and ensuring perceptions, and ideas.
inclusivity at all levels of Data Science practice?
1. Demographic Information: Collects fundamental
To answer these questions, a mixed-methods survey was data such as age, gender, ethnicity, education level,
distributed to a diverse range of participants present at EDI occupation to assess participant diversity. This in-
special day during ACM KDD 2024. The results of this survey formation helps in analyzing representation, identi-
provide the foundation for the subsequent section of this fying potential biases, and ensuring representation
paper, where we will explore the specific needs, challenges within the study population.
and actionable strategies for promoting EDI in Data Science. 2. Perception: This phase aims to explore participants’
experiences and perceptions of Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion (EDI) within research contexts. The
questions were designed to short responses in the Category Distribution
form of keywords, enabling participants to convey Age Group Under 24 years: 8%
their personal opinions concisely while minimizing 25-34 years: 62%
the time required for completion. In this phase, we 35-44 years: 15%
also present several mottos and ask respondents to 45-54 years: 15%
indicate their preferred choice and we also ask to Professional Academia: 69%
propose a personal motto. Background Research Institutions: 15%
3. Think-Pair-Share: In the third phase, participants Research in Industry: 8%
are encouraged to collaborate with those around Practitioners: 8%
them to answer specific questions. This interactive Roles Early-stage Researchers: 29%
approach promotes dialogue and enables us to gather PhD Students: 21%
a variety of perspectives on advancing EDI through Senior Researchers: 21%
collective efforts. The questions are similar to those Professors: 14%
in the Perception section, but the objective is to Managers/Heads of Research
gather responses developed collaboratively rather Units: 7%
than individually. Other: 7%
Place of Residence Europe: 62%
The questions presented to the participants, organized by North America: 31%
phase, are detailed in Table 1. This structured format ensures South America: 8%
clarity in the survey design and facilitates a comprehensive
Gender Identity Women: 46%
analysis of responses across different stages of the study.
Men: 38%
Gender Non-Conforming:
2.2. Description of the Application Scenario 15%
We propose the just described survey at the end of the EDI Minority Group LGBTQ+: 43%
Special Day during ACM KDD 2024 Confernence. The deci- Membership Racial/Ethnic Minority: 14%
Disability: 8%
sion to adopt a collaborative approach for creating an EDI
No Minority Membership:
Manifesto led to the choice of using the Wooclap platform 21%
to administer the survey. Undisclosed: 14%
Wooclap enables the creation of interactive surveys, al-
lowing participants to view the responses of others in real- Table 2
time. Survey Participant Demographics
This approach was particularly valuable during the sec-
ond and third phases, where respondents could upvote the
answers of others, expressing agreement with various opin-
ions and fostering a sense of collective input.
In the third phase, a more collaborative approach was en-
couraged by forming spontaneous groups within the confer-
ence room. These groups engaged in dialogue and worked
together to provide collective answers, enhancing the depth
of perspectives gathered.
2.3. Results
Figure 1: Word cloud illustrating the participants’ responses to
2.3.1. Demographic Information the question, ”What does respect mean to you?”
In Table 2, the results of the demographic section of the
survey are presented. It is important to highlight that the
survey was conducted during a dedicated EDI (Equity, Di- accountability and professionalism were mentioned, high-
versity, and Inclusion) day, attracting participants with a lighting the importance of responsible behavior of each
strong interest in these topics. Consequently, the represen- individual to create a respectful environment.
tation of minority groups in the survey is higher than in The keywords defining an inclusive community, as iden-
the general population, leading to an inherent imbalance tified by the participants and shown in Figure 2, emphasize
in the sample. Additionally, since the conference was held safety, collaboration, inclusivity, a welcoming environment,
in Barcelona, geographic proximity likely influenced atten- and a barrier-free space with respect for all individuals.
dance, resulting in a majority of respondents residing in The most prominent barriers identified include biases,
Europe. misogyny, patriarchal structures, and stereotypes, which
perpetuate unbalanced power dynamics and inequities
2.3.2. Perception Results within societies and organizations. These barriers are pro-
moted by cultural norms, inequitable policies, and insuffi-
The first individual perception question addressed the con- cient resources dedicated to addressing systemic exclusion
cept of respect. The responses of the participants, as shown and oppression. Issues such as segregation, underrepresen-
in Figure 1, included terms such as understanding, giving, tation, and capitalism-driven inequities further marginalize
caring, empathy, and acceptance. Additionally, words like vulnerable groups.
To address the barriers identified previously, several so-
lutions have been highlighted, emphasizing the importance
• Representation of diverse points of view, with a fo-
cus on intersectional representation.
• Heterogeneous collaboration across different back-
grounds and perspectives.
Priorities for Building an EDI Community: Several
essential priorities for building an equitable, diverse, and
inclusive (EDI) community were identified:
• Legal mandates, emphasizing the need for institu-
tional frameworks to ensure accountability.
Figure 2: Word cloud illustrating the participants’ responses to • Ongoing training to raise awareness and build EDI
the question, ”How would you define an inclusive community?” competencies.
• Collaboration among minority groups to enhance
inclusivity.
• Widespread use of accessible software and open-
of commitment from leadership, institutional support, and
source tools for participation.
a culture of inclusivity within organizations. Leaders play
a critical role in ignite change, promoting a collaborative • Promoting paternity leaves to facilitate a more
environment, and ensuring equitable access to resources gender-equal sharing of care and related housework,
and mentorship opportunities. supporting the mother’s return to the labor market,
Establishing clear EDI commissions, advocating for fair and equalizing the circumstances in which women
wages, and implementing supportive policies such as mater- and men enter the labor market
nity and paternity leave are essential to creating an equitable Programs and Initiatives to Promote Inclusivity and
foundation. Equity: Recommendations for specific programs and initia-
Additionally, promoting awareness and accessibility, si- tives include:
multaneously to organizational protocols and training, can
empower individuals and ensure meaningful participation • Providing scholarships for minorities to promote
in EDI initiatives. Fostering diversity in leadership, offering equitable opportunities.
widely accessible tools, and prioritizing flexibility and col- • Offering funding for research and scholarships as
laboration are also pivotal for sustaining an inclusive and financial support.
supportive environment. • Ensuring accessible and secure reporting mecha-
The chosen motto, ”Diverse minds, collective mission,” nisms for abuse and vulnerable situations.
serves as the title of this work; however, other interesting • Developing fairer methods for collecting data related
options considered were ”Mixing is fixing,” ”Diversity pow- to EDI.
ers discovery,” ”Inclusion in research, equity in findings,”
and ”The future is for everyone.”
3. Discussion
2.3.3. Think-Pair-Share Results
3.1. The need for a fairer data collection
The section create in an active collaboration between
Working in data science, it is impossible to ignore the fact
members during the EDI special day in the conference hall
that data often provides a biased representation of the world,
offered significant results.
leading to skewed research outcomes in the field. For in-
stance, when considering gender, most datasets dispropor-
Equity in a Scientific Environment: The most com-
tionately represent males [7] [8], while, when consider-
mon themes identified in responses to the question ”What
ing ethnicity, the data does not represent minorities [9].
equity means to you in a scientific environment?” include:
This issue becomes even more pronounced when examined
• Ensuring that everyone’s ideas are considered and through the lens of intersectionality [10], where biases are
respected. inflated by the overlapping effects of various protected cate-
• Equal opportunity and equal outcomes are central gories. In this context, it is crucial to collect data that more
to an equitable environment. accurately reflects the populations affected by the technolo-
• Guaranteeing safe and equal accessibility for all. gies being developed. Achieving this can be supported by
adopting and promoting open-source technologies based
• Empowering the workforce and removing discrimi-
on open-source datasets. Such efforts can raise awareness,
natory obstacles.
encourage research in the field, and enhance accountability.
• Mental health awareness as vital to promoting well-
being alongside equity.
• Feeling equally empowered, with a focus on foster- 3.2. The need for broader audience
ing a sense of belonging and inclusion. A powerful example of the impact leaders can have on shap-
Diversity in a Scientific Environment: The key ing an inclusive environment emerged through the empha-
themes in response to ”What diversity means to you in sis placed on EDI-themed days during major conferences.
a scientific environment?” are: These dedicated days highlight the importance of a certain
kind of ethics, but there is the need to expand their promi-
• Fostering an environment where everyone feels like nence, ensuring EDI topics receive greater visibility and
they belong. attention throughout the entire event. To maximize im-
pact, it is crucial to increase participation in these sessions,
spreading knowledge and fostering the values of respect Declaration on Generative AI
and inclusivity among a broader audience. This could be
achieved by allocating even a small dedicated time slot dur- During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used
ing conferences, ensuring no other events overlap with the GPT-4 in order to: Grammar and spelling check. After using
EDI sessions. A couple of hours focused on introducing key these tool(s)/service(s), the author(s) reviewed and edited
EDI concepts to a large audience may prove more effective the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the
than an entire day where only those already committed to publication’s content.
EDI principles engage with like-minded individuals. Reach-
ing a broader, more diverse group can help plant the seeds
of change and inspire a wider commitment to these values.
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