This introductory course aims to raise awareness of the intricate relationship between gender and STEM, with a particular focus on technology. In this course students will gain an understanding of the benefits and challenges of diversity in science and technology, the complexities of intersectional inclusion, as well as the social and technical ramifications of exclusion within science and technology. We will discuss the status of highly politicized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in global companies and how the recent backlash can affect technology, both regarding usability and as a means of maintaining social stereotypes. As a crucial part of the course, we will also look at AI, such as Bing Copilot and Chat GPT, and explore gender biases built in their operation. As the course aims to make students reflect on their experiences in and attitudes towards technology within their studies, each class will be divided into two parts: first a theoretical introduction related to the topic of the week, then a case study, which students will reflect on and discuss in teams. For the assessment, student teams will carry out a project from idea to completion, where the focus of the project must be within the topic of the course.
- Teacher: Anna Szlavi