Diversity Heroes – Virginia Grande
Brief introduction about yourself. What made you choose a career in computing?
As with many things in my life, it was my mother’s encouragement and example. I actually chose physics first as my bachelor’s. But I did not feel I fit in nor did I enjoy the subjects taught there. Due to financial privilege, I was able to quit and take time to wonder what to do next. My mother had a technical background. She attended university back in the day when there was no computing degree in Spain; it was rather part of a specialization in math. She told me: “You’re always trying things with the computer at home. Maybe computer science is something for you?” And how right she was! I found it so intellectually stimulating, with lots of room for experimenting and trying new things. For my PhD, I specialized in computing education research, an area on how we teach and learn computing. I did research on role modeling, particularly by educators in higher education.
What were the challenges in your career and what helped you overcome them?
My main challenges have been connected to dealing with mental illness. I have had episodes of depression and, after years of therapy, I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Thanks to the enormous privilege of access to health care and a strong support network, plus much work on myself, nowadays I can say I have a much easier time dealing with GAD. It comes and goes. I would not be in academia if it weren’t for all the people who work so hard to make it a more welcoming space for people of all identities.
One career highlight
November 23rd 2023 was a very special day for me. I had the privilege of giving the closing keynote of the 9th conference for engineering educators in Sweden (Utvecklingskonferensen för Sveriges ingenjörsutbildningar). Throughout the conference I had seen all the role modeling that these educators were doing, all so welcoming, so focused on doing what is best for the students, and wanting to learn from each other. I was so glad I could talk to them about different approaches to thinking about how we are all role models, whether we are aware of it or not.
That day I also gave a similar presentation as the opening of an event by and for the student volunteers from two ACM-W student chapters, ATU and Bilkent. They were so inspiring! Student volunteers have such a positive impact on computing through their competence and hard work. It was special to me because being in a chapter is how I started my involvement in ACM.
How did you get involved with ACM-W Europe?
As for many people, the short version is that Reyyan Ayfer had me convinced in a few minutes of how important it was to advocate for and celebrate women in computing. She, Ruth Lennon, Bev Bachmayer, and many others mentored me, gave me all their support, and made me feel part of the team from the very first minute. These people seem to have endless energy, and they give so much of it to others!
My first experience with ACM was as part of a student chapter, which led me to take part in an event for chapter officers in Europe. From there I joined the ACM Council of European Chapter Leaders (CECL). It was at a CECL meeting co-located with an ACM-W Europe one that Reyyan approached me and immediately had me convinced of how important the work of ACM-W Europe is.
What is your personal experience with ACM-W Europe and what would you advise others who would like to get involved and volunteer?
My main roles have been connected to ACM-W celebrations of women in computing in Europe. I was co-chair of womENcourage 2015 in Uppsala with amazing María Andreína Francisco, and later I supported volunteers who wanted to have regional celebrations. It was such rewarding work! You get to meet highly motivated people who are driven by the common goal of gender equity. Everyone has a different set of competencies, which makes them a very diverse set of role models. And you can contribute to that, regardless of your level of experience. There are many different kinds of work that need to be done, so there is always something for you, and you learn even more while you do it in a fantastic team.
If you were to change something in the way we run computing communities what would that be?
Research tells us that computing is still seen as rational and logical, which is associated with masculinity. We need to make room for emotions, as they are an essential part of computing, and for care: care for ourselves in the form of well-being practices, care for other (non) human beings, and for the planet. Ethics, including equal opportunities and sustainability, need to have a much more prominent place in what we see as computing.
Can you comment on diversity or intersectionality issues that you have experienced, seen or been made aware of?
As a non-binary person with GAD, I have experienced that some people who are aware of me having these identities may be quicker to dismiss my objections when I raise the possibility of a bad outcome. Their dismissal is a mixture of “you are being emotional” and “this is your anxiety making you worry about things that are not actual problems”. When the bad outcome actually comes, I can only hope that some personal reflection and growth come with it, helping that person realize and work on their bias.
The most difficult part is that these are often unconscious biases. That is why I believe that education is so crucial for gender equity. There is so much more that we can do to understand the dangerous discrimination that, for example, Black trans women face. We need to listen to others and use our privilege to make positive change, avoid harm, and create safe spaces for all.
Who is your diversity/equality hero and why?
I have so many! Besides the ones mentioned above, Åsa Cajander is truly an amazing role model for me. She is currently the Advisor to the Vice Chancellor on Equal Opportunities at Uppsala University, after having been the Equal Opportunities Officer at our IT department. I have learned so much from her! Particularly, how to lead groups in an inclusive way, where everyone has a voice that is listened to and considered for decision-making. Our new Equal Opportunities Officer is Katie Winkle, who is a role model of doing equity work in an intersectional way, going beyond only considering the identities that one has.
I feel privileged to have met so many inspiring people who go about their lives standing up for others and having an open mind. When others call them out on some unconscious bias/discrimination, these everyday diversity heroes are not defensive: instead, they sit with the discomfort and reflect on how to do better. We are all constantly learning how to be more inclusive, and it takes courage and energy to go through the self-reflection.
What would you recommend to young people thinking about a career in computing?
We need you! You have a unique perspective, and computing needs more diversity of experiences, ideas, and contributions… like yours!