Psychological safety from the trenches - Neurodiversity in the workplace.

This Meeting wil be a combination of talk, workshop and networking. And there will be a sandwich break. Du kan deltage selvom du ikke er tryg ved at tale engelsk. Jenny og Alexandre vil tage spørgsmål på dansk og oversætte så alle kan være med.

Psychological safety is paramount to having well functioning teams that deliver great quality software. In this talk Jenny and Alexandra will share invaluable insights on cultivating a safe and productive environment in tech teams, empowering participants to embrace vulnerability and foster authentic connections. 

We have worked in different dysfunctional teams during our time in the tech business, and even though we have been in different roles with different levers to pull, we have employed some of the same strategies, and are able to tap into how these are both similar and different depending on where you are in the team hierarchy. 

Through anecdotes from our extensive experience in the industry, where we’ve invested our energy and passion to create psychological safety even in the most dysfunctional teams, we aim to transform these often abstract concepts into practical, actionable strategies that everyone can try out. Our goal is to equip participants with clear, relatable examples and tools that they can apply within their own teams, fostering a culture of trust and open communication that drives success. 

 
About the authors:

Jenny, 38, holds an MSc in Computer Science and has over 10 years of experience as an IT Project and Program Manager. She has dedicated much of her life to volunteer work for various organizations, including serving in board positions across a wide range of fields such as revues, student bars, international cat associations, and Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).   

In addition, Jenny is the creator of the Danish podcast Diagnoseklubben and frequently performs on Danish Open Mic stages, delivering quirky and self-ironic stand-up comedy that reflects her experiences as a late-diagnosed woman with ADHD and Autism, as well as living with a chronically injured ankle. 

Since 2021, Jenny has been associated with the University of Copenhagen, Department of Computer Science, where she collaborates with Professor Pernille Bjørn on research exploring the intersectionality of gender, computer science, and (neuro)diversity through various initiatives under the research program femtech.dk. Furthermore, she has several years of experience giving talks focused on inclusion and neurodiversity, advocating for greater awareness and understanding in these areas. 

Alexandra, 34, is a seasoned software developer with over seven years of experience, holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. She has cultivated a deep passion for team dynamics and psychological safety within the tech community. Her extensive volunteer work throughout college and university, within various social groups and associations reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive environments. Currently active in the App Development Working Group for Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). 

Alexandra has successfully helped multiple teams improve their processes and collaboration, through facilitating dialogues and helping address the tough topics. Having triumphed over personal challenges, including her journey through alcoholism and sobriety, and late diagnosed ADHD, Alexandra draws from her experiences to inspire resilience and growth. 

For years, she has served as a Room Host at the GoTo conference, where her insights into effective conference dynamics have been honed through active participation in the community. As a dedicated mother of two, she brings unique perspectives on balancing personal and professional life.