Mathematical Formalism as a Means of Occupational Closure in Computing — why ‘hard’ computing tends to exclude women

abstract

In this paper the failure of equal opportunities initiatives in computing is discussed. Reasons for the increasing exclusion of women from the higher levels of computing are considered, together with the implications of this problem for the profession as a whole. The paper identifies aspects of computing which have resulted in the definitions of good and bad, desirable and undesirable, real and unreal computing. From this perspective it considers areas of business computing and research findings which indicate that both the present business needs and future trends show that these unlegislated decisions are not appropriate. The solution reached is that the emerging canon in the computer science curriculum places an inappropriate emphasis on ‘hard’ areas such as mathematical formalism. More incorporation of arts‐based skills and skills traditionally associated with women would actually result in a curriculum more likely to meet the needs of the computing and information technology industries. If the emphasis in the curriculum and the rewards system should change to allow for this positive action in terms of curriculum, promotion and advertising will be required, together with a more widespread acknowledgement of what attributes actually contribute to successful computing at a professional level.