DrupalCon Insider Raises Alarm on Community Inclusion and Safety

Concerns about inclusion, safety and participation at DrupalCon have been raised in a recent community essay. The critique points to barriers to entry, limited demographic data and gaps in how incidents are reported and addressed.

Marissa Epstein, a long-time Drupal contributor, published the analysis following DrupalCon Chicago 2026. Drawing on survey data, she notes that recent developer surveys show no respondents under 21 and very limited participation from developers with less than one year of experience. She also highlights a decline in reported optimism among contributors.

Cost is identified as a major barrier. Conference registration, travel and accommodation can push total expenses to around $2,000 or more. While discounts and scholarships exist, the post argues that access remains limited for many potential participants.

The essay also raises concerns about safety at community events. It describes incidents of unwanted physical contact and points to the absence of an anonymous reporting mechanism in the current code of conduct process. Similar concerns about reporting and enforcement were discussed at DrupalCon events in previous years.

Epstein calls for several changes, including anonymous reporting options, more consistent demographic data collection and continued efforts to reduce financial barriers. The post frames these measures as necessary to understand participation trends and improve community sustainability.

"If the community you're building only feels like home to the people who are already part of it, you haven't built a community. You've built a club."

The full essay is available on the author’s website. Check out the reference below: