Making IT work: integrating gender research in computing through a process model

To become effective in the field of computing, gender research must explain its concepts to non-gender studies scholars and to convince them of their relevance. Our title "Making IT Work" claims that both can be done: interlinking gender research and computing, and by that improving IT systems. We present the "Gender-Extended Research and Development" (GERD) model, a process model which combines gender and diversity aspects with all phases of computing research and development. The model with seven phases is a generalization of common process models in computing. Gender/diversity expertise has been condensed into a number of aspects that characterize the social context of computing research. They can be related to and reflected during every phase. This reflection is somewhat operationalized by providing a list of questions for each combination of phase and aspect. Case studies as part of the model illustrate either in what way such reflections may help in research and development or what may happen if no such aspects have been included.

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