Hidden Figures in Software Engineering: A Replication Study Exploring Undergraduate Software Students' Awareness of Distinguished Scientists from Underrepresented Groups

TL;DR

This paper investigates how software engineering undergraduates perceive distinguished scientists from underrepresented groups, addressing diversity awareness in SE education. It replicates an original global survey with a broader sample and revised questionnaire to assess knowledge of such figures and their contributions. The findings show high familiarity with a few figures like Alan Turing, Ada Lovelace, and Grace Hopper, but limited recognition of Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ pioneers, revealing a gap in classroom coverage and role-modeling. The study advocates integrating diverse historical figures into SE curricula and leveraging both formal and informal learning channels to foster inclusion and belonging.

Abstract

Technology is a cornerstone of modern life, yet the software engineering field struggles to reflect the diversity of contemporary society. This lack of diversity and inclusivity within the software industry can be traced back to limited representation in software engineering academic settings, where students from underrepresented groups are often stigmatized despite the field's rich history of contributions from scientists from diverse backgrounds. Over the years, studies have revealed that women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and Black students frequently encounter unwelcoming environments in software engineering programs. However, similar to other fields, increasing awareness of notable individuals from marginalized backgrounds could inspire students and foster a more inclusive environment. This study reports the findings from a replicated global survey with undergraduate software engineering students, exploring their knowledge of distinguished scientists from underrepresented groups. These findings show that students have limited awareness of these figures and their contributions, highlighting the need to improve diversity awareness and develop educational practices that celebrate the achievements of historically marginalized groups in software engineering. Index Terms-EDi in software engineering, software engineering education, diversity.