Assessing Gender and Racial/Ethnic Parity in the Computing Fields: Evidence From the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Examining STEM Pathways and STEM Equity in College

Abstract

Data show that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) postsecondary training programs lack gender and racial/ethnic diversity. Recent policy efforts are aimed at creating more inclusive environments for underrepresented groups in STEM and several national reports highlight progress. We argue that prior analyses have not considered institutional contexts and changes in the demographics of students enrolled in higher education more broadly. We propose new measures of gender and racial/ethnic parity in the computing fields and find that while computing fields have made progress in the number of female students and students of color receiving degrees, gender and racial/ethnic parity has changed little and, in some cases, declined. We offer recommendations for researchers and policymakers based on these results.

Authors

• David S. Knight, University of Washington

• Sanga Kim, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Anne-Marie Nunez, The Ohio State University