Abstract
Undergraduate computer science programs worldwide struggle to attract and retain underrepresented students for many reasons. Culture, stereotype threats, uneven gender and racial representations, lack of role models, and uncertain career prospects for minority groups are among the many reasons behind this situation. Many computer science programs are trying to change course through strategies to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), aimed at improving outreach, recruitment, admissions, and retention of underrepresented students. EDI approaches may also include modifications to the undergraduate computer science curriculum. However, if not properly planned, these modifications risk amplifying existing stereotypes rather than producing positive change [38]. In this study, through an extensive literature review, a rigorous curriculum analysis of 49 computer science programs across the globe, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of surveys and interviews bringing in the voices of 613 students and 30 educators participating from around the world, we explore equity, diversity, and inclusion in the computer science curriculum. We highlight the role of inclusive content and course design, discuss program flexibility, and the impact of inclusive courses and program design in attracting and retaining historically marginalized students. Finally, we provide concrete steps to make computing science undergraduate curricula more appealing to a diverse audience.
Recommended Citation
G. Toti and P. Lindner and A. Gao and O. Baghban Karimi and R. Engineer and J. Hur and F. Mcneill and S. Reckinger and R. Robinson and A. Sollazzo and R. Wicentowski, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Computing Science: Culture is the Key, Curriculum Contributes," Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education Iticse, pp. 175 - 225, Association for Computing Machinery, Jan 2025.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1145/3689187.3709611
Department(s)
Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Publication Status
Open Access
Keywords and Phrases
computer science; computing science; diversity; edi; equity; inclusion; undergraduate curriculum
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1942-647X
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 Association for Computing Machinery, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
23 Jan 2025
Comments
Simon Fraser University, Grant None