Dissertation Research · University of Colorado Boulder
Participate in My Research
I am looking for women who participate in AI-related community events to take part in interviews and focus groups. Your experiences and perspectives are at the heart of this research. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and deeply valued.
About the Study
Talking AI into Being
This study is part of my dissertation, “Talking AI into Being: Gender, Participation and Learning of Women.” It examines women’s experiences in AI-related community spaces — including their understandings of AI, experiences with AI learning, hopes and concerns about AI, and ethical reflections.
Who Can Participate
You may be a good fit if you are:
- Age 18 or older
- Actively participate in relevant community events
- Able to provide informed consent
- Willing to participate in an interview or focus group
Please note:
Individuals under 18, those unable to provide informed consent, or those without direct community-event experience will not be included.
The study aims to recruit 3–5 participants per focus group (15–25 total) and 10 participants for individual interviews, including interviews with the founder and organizers. Participation is voluntary; no racial or ethnic group will be specifically targeted or excluded.
Pseudonyms will be used for all participants and any family members or friends they discuss. Declining to participate carries no penalty and will not affect membership, standing, or any relationship with the community.
What Participation Involves
Individual Interviews
I will conduct individual, semi-structured interviews with participants. Interviews will explore your experiences with the community, your understanding of AI learning, your perspectives on women’s participation in AI-related spaces, and your hopes, concerns, and ethical reflections regarding AI.
Founder/organizer interviews will additionally address: the origins and goals of the community, event planning and topic selection, intended learning outcomes, understandings of AI literacy, perceived barriers to women’s participation in AI, and efforts to support women.
Each interview lasts approximately one hour. You are not required to answer any question and may stop the interview at any time.
Focus Groups
I will also organize 5 informal focus groups (approximately 1–2 hours each) where participants can speak freely with one another. Focus groups will explore shared experiences with the community, perspectives on AI learning, understandings of women’s participation in AI-related spaces, and participants’ hopes, concerns, and ethical reflections regarding AI.
Focus groups may be held in person (university room, library, or community meeting room) or online via a secure platform such as Zoom. Before beginning, participants will be informed that confidentiality cannot be fully guaranteed in a group setting; participants will be asked to respect others’ privacy. You may decline to answer any question or leave the focus group at any time.
Recruitment & Screening
Participants will be recruited through announcements at community events. Information about the study will be shared through oral announcements and a QR code displayed at events, linking to this research webpage. Interested individuals who prefer not to use digital means may provide their name and contact information on a sign-up sheet at the event.
Before any observation or recording begins, attendees will be informed that research is taking place and given an opportunity to consent or decline. Individuals who do not consent will not be recorded or included as research participants.
Screening
Participants will complete a brief verbal or written screening confirming that they are at least 18 years old, an active community member, able to provide informed consent, and willing to agree to audio/video recording. No screening questions about race, ethnicity, or other sensitive characteristics will be used.
Separate informed consent will be obtained for interviews and focus groups. Participation or refusal will not affect your membership or standing in the community.
Consent & Data Protection
- A signed site-permission letter from the community founder has been obtained, authorizing recruitment and IRB-approved research activities at community events.
- The founder’s permission does not replace individual informed consent — all participants complete the same consent process.
- Participant identities, enrollment decisions, individual responses, and confidential research data will not be disclosed to the founder.
- Per the founder’s request, research activities at each event will be communicated transparently through informational emails before each data-collection session.
- Participation or refusal will not affect your membership, standing, or relationship with Women in AI Colorado.
Interested in Participating?
Expressing interest does not commit you to anything — you will have the opportunity to learn more before making any decision. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Mervenur Çetin 