Stimulated by Google’s release of its workforce diversity statistics, USA Today describes the generally dismal under-representation of women and minorities in the tech workforce.
UW CSE’s Ed Lazowska is quoted on the importance:
“Doing so isn’t about window dressing. It actually makes it a better and more profitable company, says Ed Lazowska, a professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington.
“‘Engineering (particularly of software) is a hugely creative endeavor. Greater diversity – more points of view – yields a better result,’ he said.”
Here is what Lazowska actually said to the reporter, in an email exchange:
“Google’s willingness to publish these less-than-rosy statistics reflects wonderfully well on the company and on its commitment to increasing the diversity of its workforce. A company that didn’t care deeply about the issue probably wouldn’t collect this data, and certainly wouldn’t put it on the web for all to see.
“Under-representation of women and minorities is a long-standing problem in the tech industry. All of us have been working extremely hard to turn this around, and progress is being made. It’s not only a matter of social equity, or of staffing. Engineering (particularly of software) is a hugely creative endeavor. Greater diversity – more points of view – yields a better result.
“Kudos to Google.”
Read USA Today‘s version here.