Surfacing Inequities and Their Broader Implications in the CS Education Research Community

Abstract

Problem. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) need to be embedded throughout the computer science education (CSEd) research community in order to achieve empirically-based strategies in CSEd that is responsive to the needs of all of its constituents. However, there are no comprehensive studies that investigate what the barriers and challenges to DEI are among CSEd researchers. Research Question. When considering DEI among the CSEd research community, what barriers and challenges do different CSEd researchers face when conducting research? Method. We conducted a systematic literature review, developed a survey from the literature, and analyzed the quantitative and qualitative data from participants (n=72). Findings. Beyond finding that over half of the participants reported the COVID-19 pandemic as a barrier to engaging in research, participants reported that working more than an average 40-hour work week each year was a challenge. The lack of computing education being recognized as a subdiscipline within CS departments also was a barrier. Participants also reported that a lack of 1) awareness and adoption of practices from other education research fields and 2) general educational research theory were significant challenges for the CSEd research field. With respect to DEI, participants noted that lack of diversity among CSEd research partners/collaborators, among CSEd researchers in the community and among CSEd research community leadership are challenges for the community. Implications. Employing cultural competence is integral to CSEd research as we, as a community, inherently navigate differences in identities among researchers, and between researchers, practitioners, and participants in the currently unrepresentative and inequitable state of our field. As we grow our attitude, awareness, knowledge, and skill in cultural competence, we produce better-equipped allies, and greater resilience and belonging among community members from historically marginalized groups. We urge the community and relevant stakeholders to understand how to remove the barriers and challenges identified in our study.