Mathilde Krill

Please tell us about your research project.

Gig work, the platform economy and the related notion of 'digital labour' have been at the heart of research in various research centres, in Europe and elsewhere. These studies, carried out in different national contexts, have led to a better understanding of the issues related to highly precarious digital labourers. However, little is known about tech professionals, including software engineers. It is with that in mind that I started my Ph.D. (DPhil) on computer programmers as a professional group, carried out at the University of Paris Dauphine - PSL and supervised by Sarah Abdelnour and Arnaud Mias. 

Software engineers are often perceived to be in high demand in the tech industry, with many job opportunities and high salaries associated with this profession. However, does this privileged position apply to all developers regardless of their socio-demographic background ? In order to answer this question, I conducted an ethnographic fieldwork over several months during a training program – a coding bootcamp - that aims to turn job seekers into developers. In contrast to this first fieldwork, a one-month participant observation in a start-up with fifteen employees, as well as a series of interviews, allowed me to see highly qualified developers. I also drew on labour statistics in order to deepen my understanding of professional coders. I am currently writing the thesis. 

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?

I am there thanks to the Monthly scholarship. I’d like to take advantage of this time to meet researchers of my field, to go to the Oxford Internet Institute and to better understand the Gender and Technology literature.

First impressions of Oxford/the University?

I am delighted to be in Oxford and to have the opportunity to go to this world-renowned university. To be honest, as I arrived at the MFO on a Friday evening, I first discovered how entertaining Oxford can be and how many things there are to do. I am eager to immerse myself further in the academic and cultural opportunities Oxford has to offer.