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VERSION:2.0
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CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:Hana Frluckaj&#039\;s Dissertation Proposal Defense
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Central Time (US & Canada)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260518T010009Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_49291501103595
DTSTART:20250414T180000Z
DTEND:20250414T200000Z
DESCRIPTION:Abstract:\n\nOpen source software (OSS) underpins modern digita
 l infrastructure globally\, yet its contributor base is strikingly homogen
 eous. OSS is dominated by White men from Europe and North America\, with o
 nly 10% of contributors being women and an underrepresentation of Black\, 
 Hispanic\, Indigenous\, and multiracial contributors. Furthermore\, while 
 younger contributors continue to join OSS\, they aren’t advancing to mai
 ntainership roles\, raising concerns for the future of software maintenanc
 e. Diversity is critical for effective OSS\, as non-diverse projects risk 
 exclusionary outcomes\, sustainability issues\, and the erosion of communi
 ty health. The aging OSS maintainer pool\, coupled with a lack of diverse 
 representation\, threatens OSS sustainability and longevity. Understanding
  younger contributors is crucial—tracking their entry\, engagement\, and
  barriers to leadership could enhance diversity. Exploring their AI tool u
 se and concerns about AI's impact on OSS may also reveal opportunities for
  sustaining OSS and its community. This thesis seeks to develop a richer u
 nderstanding of potential OSS newcomers\, their concerns and experiences\,
  and how their participation evolves over time. I will do so by surveying 
 undergraduate introductory programming students about their awareness of a
 nd attitudes towards OSS\, and by interviewing OSS educators. This work ha
 s implications for OSS sustainability and diversity\, for the distribution
  of OSS benefits among different groups\, and for encouraging broader part
 icipation in online communities.
LOCATION:UTA 5.522 (Large Conference Room)
SUMMARY:Hana Frluckaj&#039\;s Dissertation Proposal Defense
URL;VALUE=URI:https://calendar.utexas.edu/event/hana-frluckaj039s-dissertat
 ion-proposal-defense
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