Digital intelligence and under-representation of women: the paradox of innovation

In Quebec, the academic workforce is particularly short of women. Are there any solutions to this problem? Interview with Mariloue Daudier, IVADO’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisor, who’s fighting to change attitudes.

In recent years, Canada’s research centers have been demanding greater diversity and inclusion within academic institutions. According to the Canadian Association of University Teachers, women make up only 20.6% of university faculty in mathematics, computer and information sciences. Aside from her field of study, Mariloue explains that there are many barriers to recruitment and application: “When you move up the teaching ladder, only 10 to 12% of full professors are women”. Mariloue is therefore working to insert diversity into a field where there isn’t necessarily any: “If we don’t have a diversity of actors, we don’t have products and services that meet the needs of each and every one of us, and of society in general”.

Born in 2016 from an initiative by Campus Montréal (bringing together Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal), IVADO brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to develop cutting-edge expertise in the fields of data science, optimization and artificial intelligence. With over 1400 affiliated scientists, IVADO matches academic expertise with business needs.

Deconstructing preconceived ideas

When I ask her to explain her role as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor, Mariloue likes to say that she represents the universities’ commitment to a better DEI in our society.

“In everything I do, and even the way I do it, I’m always looking to deconstruct the idea that equity is just making it equal for everyone. It’s really about taking into consideration that there are different barriers for different people”.

Through awareness-raising, training and co-construction activities, Mariloue’s mission is to fuel thinking around the DEI concept, so that the entire ecosystem surrounding digital intelligence is considered, inspired and respected.

EDI in digital intelligence: how to take concrete action?

As a leader in a rapidly evolving field, IVADO has created a framework to identify the various equity, diversity and inclusion issues within the digital industry ecosystem.

1. Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce

Whether at student or faculty level, this axis brings together specific actions to ensure better development of talent, particularly female talent, in digital intelligence.

From May 29 to 31, for example, the Salon International de la Femme Noire (International Black Women’s Show) took place, showcasing the work of over 1,000 black women role models. Through a virtual platform, Mariloue had the pleasure of showcasing a black student, a PhD candidate in computer science, and a Senegalese student, a data analyst.

IVADO is also financially supporting the hiring of a project coordinator whose role is to convince Cégep and high school physics and mathematics teachers to adopt pedagogical strategies that have been shown to positively shape women’s scientific identities, thereby fostering their interest in pursuing careers in these fields.

IVADO has also taken advantage of the crisis to support digital intelligence projects that fight the pandemic, some of which are led by women! Among the projects selected, that of Julie Hussin, a professor at the Université de Montréal, aims to carry out a real-time genomic analysis of the virus, thanks to molecular modeling, focusing in priority on the variants observed in Quebec. This study will shed light on the demographic impact of the disease and the effectiveness of certain treatments.

2. Transforming institutional practices

This second axis aims to understand and eliminate structural and institutional barriers to the inclusion of groups across studies and careers.

In collaboration with a student and a researcher from IVADO, Mariloue is currently developing a questionnaire that will be shared with academic members (professors and students) in order to understand the digital intelligence ecosystem, and thus better respond to the challenges of DEI. Have they witnessed or experienced discrimination? Is diversity an important concept for the respondents? Eventually, Mariloue would like to create concertation activities with women in the ecosystem on the issues expressed in this questionnaire.

3. Knowledge production and innovation

Actions in this final area are designed to enhance the quality, impact and social relevance of training and research in data science, by taking into account issues of diversity and bias in the production of knowledge.

Last year, IVADO created an International Summer School on Bias and Discrimination in AI, raising a number of issues around the impact of data. Did you know that there are algorithmic biases that limit women’s opportunities for advancement?

Another type of initiative: a leaflet on unconscious bias and the recruitment process, which urges us to offer more opportunities to women, by ensuring that selection committees and job posting spaces are diversified, and that we are aware of our biases.

Several inclusive and informative webinars are regularly given to reinforce knowledge sharing and make certain discriminations and solutions visible. As part of COVID-19, Mariloue led a session a few weeks ago on inclusive solutions in digital intelligence.

When I ask Mariloue how she sees the future for the representation of women and other minorities in this field, she tells me that it’s a long-term job. She explains: “Unfortunately, many people only consider DEI at the end of a project, when they’ve already got their innovation in hand. DEI is really a cross-cutting issue that can lead to better solutions, and needs to be included right from the start of the project, right from the formation of the steering committee”.

Considering women – in the same way as other minorities, not just as mere users, but as collaborators who create value and viable, sustainable solutions. That’s what I would have taken away from this wonderful discussion with Mariloue.