DDD Perth 2023 Agenda

It's easy to tell stories about people whose experience in the tech industry is unusual. Some of those stories are focused on innovators, but many are about 'trailblazers' from marginalised and under-represented groups. These articles often focus on the strength, perseverance, and resilience that it took to get there. However, that's only one part of the story. The ways in which under-represented people enter, experience, and hopefully thrive in our industry are far more complex. Very few people advance their careers on positive attributes alone. The experience of people from marginalised groups depends on the managers, companies, and communities who put in the time and effort to identify, employ, and sponsor them through their careers. Technical communities have a role to play in this process; they're a frequent first point of contact for young folks and potential career-changers, and a place where people are free to learn and make mistakes with the support of mentors and long-time community members. In this talk, we'll analyse what it means to be successful when nobody in the room looks like you, and break down the narrative of the trailblazers in the tech industry. Then, we'll look at the role that tech communities play in increasing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging in the industry. By the end of the session, you will have learned how to shape communities where difference is both ordinary and celebrated, and translate these skills into a commercial workplace.