The State of Diversity and Inclusion in Apache: A Pulse Check
Zixuan Feng, Mariam Guizani, Marco A. Gerosa, Anita Sarma
TL;DR
This study conducts a longitudinal pulse check of diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the Apache Software Foundation using two cross-sectional surveys (2020 and 2022) to examine engagement, challenges, and perceptions across multidimensional attributes (gender, English proficiency, seniority, country). Employing identical Likert-scale questions and a consistent analysis framework, the authors find overall improvements in participation among historically underrepresented groups, reductions in many barriers, and increased awareness of codes of conduct, while persistent gender representation gaps remain. The work highlights specific gains in code and non-code contributions, notes domain-specific challenges (notably for newcomers and non-native English speakers), and provides practical recommendations for leadership engagement, mentorship, and multilingual documentation. It also argues for continued longitudinal monitoring and intersectional analyses to guide ongoing D&I initiatives in OSS communities, with ASF serving as a model for other projects. Overall, the paper advances understanding of how D&I evolves in large OSS ecosystems and offers concrete directions to sustain and amplify inclusive participation.
Abstract
Diversity and inclusion in open source software (OSS) is a multifaceted concept that arises from differences in contributors' gender, seniority, language, region, and other characteristics. D&I has received growing attention in OSS ecosystems and projects, and various programs have been implemented to foster contributor diversity. However, we do not yet know how the state of D&I is evolving. By understanding the state of D&I in OSS projects, the community can develop new and adjust current strategies to foster diversity among contributors and gain insights into the mechanisms and processes that facilitate the development of inclusive communities. In this paper, we report and compare the results of two surveys of Apache Software Foundation (ASF) contributors conducted over two years (n=624 & n=432), considering a variety of D&I aspects. We see improvements in engagement among those traditionally underrepresented in OSS, particularly those who are in gender minority or not confident in English. Yet, the gender gap in the number of contributors remains. We expect this study to help communities tailor their efforts in promoting D&I in OSS.