In today’s world, software engineers are the rock stars of technology, responsible for creating the code that powers our devices and applications and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. However, as our reliance on software grows, it’s becoming increasingly clear that technical expertise alone is not enough. We require social scientists to collaborate with software engineers to ensure that technology is developed with a human-centered approach. Unfortunately, such collaboration is rare, and typically, technologists build technology before inviting social scientists to study its effects on humans. In today’s world, where our lives depend on software, we need social scientists to work alongside technologists from the outset, so we can democratize our technology “by design”.

Why Social Scientists are Crucial in Software Development

Software development is more than just writing code. It’s about creating technology that meets the needs of the people who use it. Social scientists bring a unique perspective to the development process by considering the social, cultural, and ethical implications of technology. By doing so, they can help software engineers design technology that is inclusive, accessible, and meets the needs of a diverse range of people.

Social scientists can also help software engineers to consider the ethical implications of technology. They can also help software engineers to consider the social and cultural impacts of technology.
For instance, the development of social media platforms has transformed the way we communicate and interact with each other. However, these platforms have also raised concerns about the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and the impact of social media on mental health. Social scientists can provide insights into these social and cultural impacts, and work with software engineers to design technology that promotes positive social interactions.

The Benefits of Social Scientists and Software Engineers Working Together

The benefits of social scientists and software engineers working together are numerous. By collaborating, they can create technology that is both effective and human-centered. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Technology that meets the needs of a diverse range of people: Social scientists can provide insights into the needs of diverse populations, helping software engineers design technology that is inclusive and accessible to everyone.
2. Technology that is ethical: Social scientists can help software engineers consider the ethical implications of technology, ensuring that it is both effective and ethical.
3. Technology that promotes positive social interactions: Social scientists can help software engineers consider the social and cultural impacts of technology, designing technology that promotes positive social interactions.

Case Studies: Examples of Social Scientists and Software Engineers Working Together

There are several examples of successful collaborations between social scientists and software engineers in software development. Here are a few:

1. Microsoft’s Inclusive Design team: Microsoft’s Inclusive Design team is a group of designers, engineers, and researchers who work together to design technology that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. The team includes social scientists who provide insights into the needs of diverse populations and help to ensure that technology is designed with the user in mind.
2. The development of the Waze navigation app: The Waze navigation app was developed by software engineers and social scientists who worked together to design a navigation app that was tailored to the needs of drivers. The app uses real-time data to provide drivers with the most efficient route but also takes into account factors such as traffic, road closures, and accidents. Social scientists provided insights into the needs and behaviors of drivers, ensuring that the app was user-friendly and promoted safe driving practices.
3. The development of Google Translate: Google Translate is an incredibly complex technology that uses machine learning algorithms to translate text from one language to another. The development of this technology required collaboration between software engineers and social scientists to ensure that the translations were accurate and culturally sensitive. Social scientists provided insights into the nuances of language and culture, helping to create a tool that promotes cross-cultural communication.

The importance of social scientists working alongside software engineers is not limited to the private sector. It is equally important in the development of GovTech, which involves the use of technology in public services and government operations. By working together, social scientists and software engineers can ensure that GovTech is citizen-centric, inclusive, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background or digital literacy level. This is especially important as governments are increasingly turning to digital platforms to engage with citizens, whether it be for voting, feedback on public policies, or delivery of services.

Social scientists can also help government agencies understand the social and cultural impacts of technology, such as the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the labor force and the institutional barriers to adopting new software systems. By doing so, they can help policymakers make informed decisions that consider the well-being of citizens and promote positive social outcomes with a successful digital transition

By breaking up the divides between humanistic and computational disciplines, we can create technology that is not only effective, but also human-centered, inclusive, and ethical. The benefits of collaboration between social scientists and software engineers are numerous, and the case studies highlighted in this article demonstrate the power of this partnership. The future of technology development depends on this collaboration, and it’s time for social scientists and software engineers to come together and build a better world.