Future of Software Engineering Research: The SIGSOFT Perspective

TL;DR

This paper discusses challenges in software engineering conference participation and proposes actions for SIGSOFT to improve inclusivity, transparency, and outreach, ensuring a diverse and accessible community.

Contribution

It identifies specific barriers to participation and offers concrete strategies for SIGSOFT to enhance inclusivity and engagement in the software engineering community.

Findings

Survey data highlights barriers to participation.

Proposed actions include transparency and outreach initiatives.

Recommendations aim to increase inclusivity and diversity.

Abstract

As software engineering conferences grow in size, rising costs and outdated formats are creating barriers to participation for many researchers. These barriers threaten the inclusivity and global diversity that have contributed to the success of the SE community. Based on survey data, we identify concrete actions the ACM Special Interest Group on Software Engineering (SIGSOFT) can take to address these challenges, including improving transparency around conference funding, experimenting with hybrid poster presentations, and expanding outreach to underrepresented regions. By implementing these changes, SIGSOFT can help ensure the software engineering community remains accessible and welcoming.