Communications of the ACM

and potentially open to the changes we seek. This means we aim to continue to pay close attention to the issue, provide institutional support, a willingness to act, and flexibility to enable change. The CMU approach recognizes that ultimately diversity and inclusion benefit the school, the community, and field of computing.

References

1. Adams, J. Bauer, V. and Baichoo, S. An expanding pipeline: Gender in Mauritius. In Proceedings of the

2003 ACM SIGCSE (Reno, Nevada, 2003), ACM Press, New York, 59–63.

2. Alvarado, C., Dodds, Z., and Libeskind-Hadas, R.

Increasing Women’s participation in computing at Harvey Mudd College. ACM Inroads, 4 (Apr. 2012), 55–64.

3. Blum, L. and Frieze, C. As the culture of computing evolves, similarity can be the difference. Frontiers 26, 1

(Jan. 2005), 110–125.

4. Blum, L. and Frieze, C. In a more balanced computer science environment, similarity is the difference and computer science is the winner. Computing Research News 17, 3 (Mar. 2005).

5. Frieze, C. et al. Where are you really from? Mitigating unconscious bias on campus. EasyChair Preprint no.

531 (2108); https://doi.org/10.29007/345g

6. Frieze, C. and Quesenberry, J.L. Kicking Butt in Computer Science: Women in Computing at Carnegie Mellon University. Dog Ear Publishing, 2015.

7. Frieze, C. and Quesenberry, J.L. From difference to diversity: Including women in The Changing Face of Computing. In Proceedings of the 2013 ACM SIGCSE

(Denver, Colorado, 2013), ACM Press, New York,

445–450.

8. Frieze, C. et al. Diversity or difference? New research supports the case for a cultural perspective on women in computing. Journal of Science Education and Technology 21, 4 (Apr. 2011), 423–439.

9. Galpin, V. Women in computing around the world.

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin–Women in Computing 34, 2

(Feb. 2002), 94–100.v

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HarperCollins, New York, 1992.

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111–114.

13. Stephens-Davidowitz, S. Google, tell me. Is my son a genius? The New York Times (Jan. 18, 2014).

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3–51; https://bit.ly/2STxBeJ

Carol Frieze ( cfrieze@cs.cmu.edu) is Director of Women@SCS and SCS4ALL, organizations that build community on campus, provide leadership and networking opportunities, and promote diversity in computer science, at the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Jeria L. Quesenberry ( jeriaq@andrew.cmu.edu) is an Associate Teaching Professor of Information Systems in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

This column is derived from the authors’ book Kicking Butt in Computer Science: Women in Computing at Carnegie Mellon University; 6 the authors’ next book, Global Perspectives on Women in Computing (working title), will be published in early 2019 by Cambridge University Press.

The opinions expressed in this column are the authors alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Carnegie Mellon University or any other employee thereof.

Copyright held by authors.

CS major. Are men and women getting similar opportunities for such things as leadership, visibility, networking, mentoring, and advocacy? Are women involved and given a central voice in shaping the culture?

While a good academic life is critical for success, students also need to feel like they belong socially14— this will enhance their sense of academic fit. Indeed college life is best viewed holistically. Do not underestimate the value of student organizations, and of social events where information is exchanged, friendships and communities are formed, and where everyone gets a chance to be included in the latest student discussions.

The persistent gender gap in CS is well documented, but there is less sharing of the success stories. By telling the CMU story we hope to illustrate a successful approach, one that can help the field of computing become more inclusive.c At the same time, we cannot become complacent. Gender balance at the undergraduate level is not an end in itself and our efforts need to continue. Success with gender diversity is one important step in developing strategies to be more inclusive of all who are underrepresented in the field of computing. In doing so we believe the CMU approach, with a focus on culture is particularly advantageous because culture is mutable c We recognize that women and men are not single separate categories and yet we are as guilty as anyone for using the term “women” and “men.” We are all shaped by complex identities and experiences and a multitude of determinants are involved in our choosing or not choosing to study computer science.

The persistent
gender gap
in computer science
is well documented,
but there is
less sharing
of success stories.

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