8/9/04

A call for chapter submissions is solicited for the upcoming book publication entitled Gender Equity and Free and Open Source Software. 

The focus of reviews and studies submitted for publication should reflect the book's focus on Gender Equity concerns, either by stating how free and open source (FOSS) technology is relevant or how it might be relevant particularly with respect to local, regional, or international development issues. The book aims to incorporate both empirical studies and qualitative evaluations of FOSS technologies in which Gender Equity concerns have been involved. Examples of this are gender and FOSS instructional technology (computer-based teaching); gender-based cultural factors in the use of FOSS; human-FOSS interaction and trends; the barriers of FOSS adoption based on gender concerns; and gender-based organisational and work issues; as well as reviews of the broader social implications of FOSS technologies in Gender Equitable development.

Works to be accepted could belong to the following categories: -- Full Length Articles: could be anywhere up to approximately 5,000 words in length, including (if needed) references, diagrams, statistics, etc. These articles may be qualitative, quantitative or a combination of both. The intent of the editors is to allow for extremely diverse submissions.

-- Case Studies (up to 5,000 words): highly regarded as material for submission. Since it is often difficult to create a research design that is applicable to standard quantitative statistical analysis or adequate control of variables, an appropriate focus can be methodologies. These methods are best described in Case Study format. The editors wish to encourage submissions from all experimental, educational and organisational spheres. All Case Studies should present an adequate description of the background of the presenting problem, any methodologies used, the outcomes and explanations for the outcomes observed.

-- Short Papers: The book will recognise that FOSS is a diverse topic politically, geographically and culturally. The papers can be on any type of research that has relevance to Gender Equity and FOSS. Encouraged are short reports that authors may feel are not likely to be published as a full article, but which appears to offer intriguing preliminary work and findings. Both quantitative and qualitative research articles are welcome as well as pilot studies, non-trivial assignments done by or set for students and even completely speculative papers that suggest a further avenue of study and research. The length should be between 500-1,500 words including references. Since space is at a premium, please include core details that are required to help the reader understand the main thrust of the article. The discussion should mention possible flaws or alternative interpretations of the results other than the main interpretation presented by the author(s). This is as much to indicate to the reader that the author(s) is/are aware of these possible flaws and alternative interpretations. It also serves to instruct for the potential to replicate work.

-- Creative Non-Fiction: Editors will accept short (up to 1,000 words) creative non-fiction works describing personal experiences with FOSS and Gender Equity. Space for this may be somewhat limited, and this material may be used for alternate media. This book is being sponsored by Women's Open World Empowerment Movement (WOWEM), a Gender Equity and FOSS research and education project started by the Canadian-based Foundation for Sustainable Development. Submissions in English and Spanish will be accepted, but alternate languages are welcome as approved by the editors. Proposals for submission must be received by 16 August 2004. Detailed outlines and/or first drafts must be completed by 30 September 2004 with the intent to have authors complete their work by 31 December 2004. Alternate deadlines may be made available upon request.

To send initial submissions, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more information, visit their website at http://www.wowem.org.