Diversity and Inclusion @ NeurIPS 2020
Katherine Heller (Google Brain) and Lester Mackey (Microsoft Research)
Diversity and Inclusion Chairs
While a virtual NeurIPS with reduced registration fees and no registration cap provides unprecedented access to one of the most popular conferences in the field, the new format and underlying pandemic present a host of challenges for diversity and inclusion (D&I). Obstacles include the
- lack of available childcare,
- time zone mismatch amongst presenters and participants,
- variability in access to high-bandwidth internet for constant video streaming, and
- reduced ability to connect socially, brainstorm internationally, and cross-pollinate conveniently.
In spite of these challenges, we are taking a number of important steps to support and improve D&I in the upcoming conference. Concretely, we are
- providing accessibility guidelines for speaker slides, posters, and recordings,
- arranging for closed captioning on all live and streamed presentations,
- delivering sign language translations for the plenary talks,
- displaying self-identified pronouns alongside names on our virtual platforms,
- reviewing representation among the NeurIPS chairs, workshop organizers, tutorial presenters, and invited speakers,
- consulting on ethics questions in submitted papers,
- monitoring adherence to the code of conduct, and
- supporting the needs and amplifying the voices of our 8 affinity groups.
You can learn more about the efforts of each of our affinity groups on their websites:
- Black in AI is hosting a virtual workshop on December 7th.
- LatinX in AI (LXAI) is hosting a virtual workshop on December 7th.
- Queer in AI is hosting a virtual workshop on December 8th and planning a virtual social event with more details to come.
- Muslims in ML is hosting a virtual workshop on December 8th and focuses on both the potential for advancement and harm to muslims and those in muslim-majority countries who religiously identify, culturally associate, or are classified by proximity as “muslim”.
- Women in ML (WiML) is hosting a virtual workshop on December 9th.
- Indigenous in AI is hosting an inaugural virtual workshop on December 10th.
- {Dis}Ability in AI reminds presenters to prepare colorblind-friendly slides and posters and to speak slowly and clearly during their recorded presentations.
- Jews in ML (JIML) is happy to be contributing to the diversity efforts and is looking forward to meeting in person at future conferences. The group wishes everyone a healthy and productive year.
NeurIPS will also be hosting events for those new to the field of machine learning:
- New in ML is hosting a virtual workshop on December 7th.
We are deeply concerned about the challenges faced by all members of the NeurIPS community this year and every year, and we welcome any suggestions for improvements at diversity-chairs@lists.nips.cc.
