I had the opportunity to present at the Black Issues in Computing Symposium 2024 in the vibrant city of Santo Domingo. It was my first time presenting at an international conference, and the experience was incredibly rewarding!
The field of computer science has long been seen as a space dominated by certain groups, but our recent research at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) sheds light on the unique challenges faced by historically marginalized students—particularly women and students of color—in this field. Through our study titled "Just Let Me," we set out to understand and document the experiences of these students within our CS department
The Research Purpose
Our goal was to explore how students from marginalized backgrounds experience the CS program and identify ways to improve inclusivity. By conducting participatory action research, we ensured that students had a voice in shaping the conversation, rather than merely responding to predefined survey questions. Our approach encouraged open dialogue, leading to deeper insights into the systemic challenges faced in the department.
Key Findings from Our Focus Group
Our focus group, which consisted of students identifying as women and students of color, revealed a mix of experiences. Some participants felt a sense of belonging and equal opportunity, while others highlighted key challenges such as:
The Fast-Paced Curriculum: Many students noted that introductory CS courses assume a level of prior knowledge that not all students have, making it difficult to keep up.
Gender Representation Issues: Women in CS often felt outnumbered and lacked visibility, which contributed to feelings of isolation.
Limited Support Structures: Students expressed a need for more academic and mentorship programs to support those from non-traditional backgrounds.
Despite these obstacles, students also shared positive experiences, such as strong advocacy from certain faculty members and a generally welcoming department culture. However, the gaps in support still need to be addressed to create a truly inclusive learning environment.
Challenges in Conducting the Study
While the research provided valuable insights, we encountered several limitations:
Low Participation Numbers: Out of 951 students contacted, only 18 responded, and just seven attended the focus group.
Heterogeneous Groups: With a small participant pool, women had to discuss gender-related issues in front of male peers, and students of color shared experiences in front of white students. This dynamic may have led to self-censorship.
Lack of Institutional Data: The university’s broad demographic categorization made it difficult to analyze how different ethnic groups experience the CS program.
Recommendations for Change
Our research suggests several actionable steps to improve the experiences of marginalized students in computer science:
Strengthening Student Organizations: Supporting groups like Women in Computer Science (WiCS) can provide mentorship and a stronger sense of community.
Creating Faculty-Led Initiatives: A specialized faculty group can offer workshops and guidance tailored to international students and students of color.
Industry Connections: Strengthening ties between students and tech companies through internship programs can help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional opportunities.
Inclusive Course Evaluations: The addition of questions that address gender and ethnicity in course evaluations allows students to express concerns about bias and inclusivity.
Learning at the Confrence
Beyond our presentation, I took in as much as I could from the conference workshops. One session with a product manager from Google really stuck with me. They talked about making inclusivity a core part of product development, not just tacking on features but truly understanding and prioritizing diverse user needs from the start. That idea stuck with me: inclusive design isn’t a checklist, it’s a way of thinking that makes products better for everyone.
Link to Research Paper
Here's a glimpse of a few highlights during this experience:
I connected with
so many amazing
people!
