“Why Isn’t This Space More Inclusive?”: Marginalization of Racial Equity Work in Undergraduate Computing Departments

• In Event: Accepting Responsibility for Shaping Equitable Learning Environments

Abstract

Although undergraduate computer science (CS) programs are increasingly engaged in racial inclusion efforts, this work is rarely critically informed or assessed. Using Critical Race Theory as a conceptual framework, we analyzed interviews with 55 campus leaders at four U.S. institutions to examine diversity initiatives benefiting Students of Color (SoC) in CS. We found that racial equity work happened predominantly in counterspaces, where CS SoC accessed academic resources (like mentors), developed their professional identities, and expanded their networks. However, counterspaces’ peripheral positioning—operating outside computing departments with little to no departmental support—limited their ability to actualize change in CS culture. Our results suggest that studying, affirming, and amplifying counterspaces would improve departmental efforts to broaden the participation of SoC in computing.

Authors

• Tomoko M. Nakajima, University of California - Los Angeles

• Julia Rose Karpicz, University of California - Los Angeles

• Justin Andrew Gutzwa, University of California - Los Angeles