DISC Committee Nominations are open!

Nominations are open for membership on the NumFOCUS Diversity & Inclusion in Scientific Computing (DISC) Committee.

DISC Mission

NumFOCUS recognizes that the open source data science community is currently highly homogenous. We believe that diverse contributors and community members produce better science and better projects. The DISC Program strives to help create a more diverse community through initiatives and programming devoted to increasing participation by and inclusion of underrepresented people.

For a more detailed explication of NumFOCUS’s position on diversity in the community, see the Diversity Appendix.

About DISC Committee Membership

The DISC Committee helps to guide the direction and activities of the DISC Program. New DISC Committee Members have ample opportunity to bring their own ideas and energy to the program, in addition to enhancing work on current projects and priorities.

Committee Membership is open to all individuals in the NumFOCUS community. Familiarity with NumFOCUS programs and projects is helpful.

The DISC Committee consists of 7 Members, plus the Chair (Gina Helfrich, NumFOCUS Program Manager for Diversity & Inclusion). In 2018, the Committee will be electing 3 new members. DISC Committee members serve 2-year terms.

DISC Committee Members are first nominated by the community and then invited to fill out an application. The current DISC Committee will vote in the 3 new members on the basis of their applications.

Committee Responsibilities

1. Committee Members can expect to devote 4-5 hours a month to work on behalf of the DISC Committee.
   • Generally this work takes the form of one monthly meeting plus research work, reading, sub-committee tasks, etc. There is always opportunity to do more if you have the time and inclination! 
2. Each member should serve on at least one sub-committee. Members should be willing to serve as chair of a sub-committee if needed.
   • Sub-committees are established on an as-needed, ad-hoc basis, according to the current priorities of the committee.

Current DISC sub-committees:

• Assessment (of the DISCOVER Cookbook, surveys measuring D&I at NumFOCUS conferences, and the DISC Unconference; identify other assessment work needed to advance Moore Grant goals)
• NumFOCUS Code of Conduct (develop a revised CoC based on the work/research done for the Cookbook)

Please nominate individuals who would bring an important perspective to the work of the DISC Program.

Self-nominations welcome.

Nominations close on March 25th.

Nominees will be invited to fill out a short application confirming their interest in serving on the DISC Committee. Selected Committee Members will be notified by April 16th and begin their terms at the committee meeting on April 19, 2018 at 12:00 Central (USA).

Email with questions.