Ask Dr. AJ - How to build diversity in Quantum Computing

A couple weeks ago I had a chance to stop in at the Colorado Quantum Community Forum, where they held a panel about workforce development in quantum computing. It was a great conversation; the panelists were a workforce development specialist from Elevate Quantum, the lead for technical education in a local Saint Vrain Valley school district, and a faculty member from Colorado School of Mines who was one of the creators of the first Masters program in quantum computing.

(Not sure what Quantum Computing is? Check out this 101 article from HPCwire)

The State of Colorado has the largest quantum workforce in the world, and a high concentration of quantum-related startups, so it was neat to hear how the three groups are preparing the workforce. Some highlights:

• Getting professionals from a wide variety of STEM backgrounds into grade schools to show kids that careers can be more than doctor, lawyer, YouTube influencer.

• The creation of a badging program to certify current and future quantum employees’ skillsets.

• Bachelors degree programs that support development of quantum and quantum-adjacent skills.

• Asking the question, “Once we have the computing side figured out, how do we also prepare the workforce to USE the new capabilities that quantum enables?”

The panel couldn’t directly answer one of the questions I was most interested in because of the Federal funding involved in their efforts, so my take on it is the subject of this month’s ADA.

Q: What does Quantum Computing need to do to boost diversity in the field from the start?

In 2021, 21% of Physics doctorates were awarded to women and an average of 8% were awarded to people in the racial minority from 2017-2021. Computer science doesn’t fare much better with 23% awarded to women and 14% to people in the racial minority in STEM. Masters and bachelors degrees have slightly better numbers, but none above 25% (and that’s Physics bachelors to awarded to women in 2021). (APS)

With quantum computing sitting at the intersection of these two fields, it stands to reason that the numbers who enter this niche field will be even lower.

So what to do about it?

The first thing is to just say it out loud - we know we’re at risk of creating a workplace dynamic that isn’t welcome to historically excluded individuals.

Next is to identify what might be blocking the way - VC funding is given to white men at disproportionate rates, we’re pulling from degree and professional areas with low diversity, and high-tech and groundbreaking fields have a history of replicating exclusionary practices from education and the workplace because it’s what we’re familiar with and breaking those habits takes extra work.

Ok let’s address some of these blockers.

VC funding - this is a real challenge. It might be that the field can’t address this from the outset, BUT it can be intentional about putting diverse leaders into place after the funding has been secured.

Pulling from degree and professional areas with low diversity - I loved what the Elevate Quantum folks said at the panel about who they are pulling into the field. Do we really need all the employees to have a PhD in physics or computer science? If we’re being really honest, the answer is no. Then how do we go about upskilling people from other fields such as electricians, plumbers, project managers, and other scientific fields to be able to do quantum-enabling work? There’s magic here!

Replicating exclusionary practices - There are many folks out there, myself included, with a deep understanding of how not to replicate these mistakes. From HR setup to inclusive leadership practices at the executive level, we can help. It requires a bit of intention and probably taking a critical look at some things, but it can be done. And it’s much easier to do it from the start rather than trying to fix something that is broken later. Quantum leaders need to set the intention and put a team in place to support them.

I have faith that we can build the field of quantum computing differently than we’ve done other fields. But we have to start now and it’s going to need to be a team effort.

What would you add to what needs to happen?

Are you a leader in Quantum (or another STEM field!) who is interested in building a team to improve equity and inclusion at your workplace? Reach out and we'll see if I can help!