A Case for Feminism in Programming Language Design
summary
Argues that programming languages are socially constructed and that Haddi localized to 59 languages proves inclusivity is technical and valuable (hundreds of thousands of users). Uses feminist epistemology and adapts a glaciers framework to show prestige rewards “hard” mathy work while sidelines spreadsheets, localization, and human studies. Presents data points: a recent historical overview lists 46 authors, 4 female; PL venues favor reproducible quantitative metrics, blocking qualitative work. Calls for high‑profile venues and review practices that accept human‑centered PL research.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00Feminism in PL design
- 2:05What defines a PL
- 5:56Social construction of PLs
- 10:30Feeling out of place in PL
- 15:46Undervalued ease in programming
- 20:21Masculine values in PL research
- 27:21Power dynamics and inequality
- 33:17Human-centered PL research
- 36:27Q&A
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