Let me tell you what I know about gender and CS: An undergrad teaches her faculty about diversity

Nice story and presentation from Katie Cunningham about how she informed her faculty about why there are so few women in CS, and what they can do about it.

I based the main arc of my presentation on a book chapter by Whitecraft and Williams that Greg Wilson of Software Carpentry was kind enough to forward to me. It’s an evenhanded look at much of the research in this area, including theories that are often out of favor in most places I frequent. It served as a great overview, though I felt it could have focused more on issues involving differences in prior programming experience pre-college and intimidation brought on by “nerdy strutting“. (Update: I just discovered a fantastic 2012 report by NCWIT that can also serve as a great overview. It covers cultural issues more comprehensively, with more recent research and more focus on the pre-college years.)

via Computer Science, Education, Fog: Let me tell you what I know about gender and CS.