Readings and resources

Stack of books on table, soft focus Often, when we discuss ethical issues in my courses, or when I find myself in a conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, someone will say, “That’s really interesting! How can I learn more?” To which I often reply, “You know, I really should compile a list of what I’ve read that’s informed my thinking, but off the top of my head, …”

Well, I finally got around to compiling that list of resources, and here it is. I intend this to be a living, breathing, work-in-progress document. I’ve put these into rough categories, recognizing that categories form an imperfect classification. I’ve also included books and resources on leadership, since some of them overlap with the issues of equity and ethics. I welcome additions, questions, comments, others’ lists that I can link to here, and/or invitations to start ad-hoc book clubs around any of these.

Books: The intersection of algorithms and society

  • Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, by Safiya Umoja Noble
  • Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor, by Virginia Eubanks
  • Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech, by Sara Wachter-Boettcher
  • Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy, by Cathy O’Neil

Books: The ethics of computing work

  • Ghost Work: How to Stop Silicon Valley from Building a New Global Underclass, by Mary L. Gray.
  • The Charisma Machine: The Life, Death, and Legacy of One Laptop Per Child, by Morgan G. Ames.

Books: CS, STEM, and academic culture

  • Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley, by Emily Chang.
  • The Future of Feeling: Building Empathy in a Tech-Obsessed World, Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips.
  • Unlocking the Clubhouse and Stuck in the Shallow End, Jane Margolis.
  • Racial Battle Fatigue in Faculty: Perspectives and Lessons from Higher Education, Nicholas D. Hartlep and Daisy Ball, ed.

Books: Leadership

  • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson.
  • Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown.
  • Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, by Kim Scott.

Books: Racism, Anti-Racism, and Privilege

  • How to be an Anti-Racist, by Ibram X. Kendi.
  • So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo.
  • White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Race, by Robin J. DiAngelo.
  • Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge.

Teaching resources: Ethics in CS

These are resources I often consult when assigning readings and case studies in my courses, particularly in Software Design.

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