Technology and Sexuality—What’s the Connection? Considering How Sexuality Shapes a Diverse Range of Girls’ Participation in Technology

• In Event: Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Transcultural Perspectives on Digital Media

Abstract

The past two decades have sparked a wealth of educational efforts to promote girls’ participation in the fields of technology and computing yet we have demonstrated little impact on stemming the current tide. I suggest, that this is, in part, because we ignore how sexuality shapes a diverse range of girls’ experiences with technology, their perceptions of themselves and these careers, and their ultimate educational and career choices. If we are serious about developing relevant technology curriculum and transforming existing conditions for girls, we can no longer afford to ignore connections between sexuality and technology. In this paper, I make the case for addressing sexuality in these contexts and sketch out a future research agenda to address this current gap

Author

• Catherine S. Ashcraft, University of Colorado - Boulder