Calling Upon the Community: Gathering Data on Programmatic and Academic Opportunities in Computing Education Research

Abstract

Although it is already established that computing education (CEd) is an emergent interdisciplinary field with scholars around the globe contributing to research in this area, it is less clear how and where this research occurs. To better understand the current state of computing education research (CEdR) and opportunities for those engaged in the field, we employed a data collection process involving training, information gathering, and reporting with institutional representatives. We sought to develop an overview of: 1) affiliations of graduate students and faculty conducting CEdR; 2) funding for graduate students and faculty conducting CEdR; 3) the academic degree options and the credit, coursework, and publication requirements for graduate students; and 4) institutions' current and future plans for CEd. Partnerships with contacts spanning 30 institutions spread across five continents provided insight into the pathways and possibilities that presently exist for researchers in the field, as well as a glimpse into future plans for expansion (or the lack thereof). The findings from this investigation offer valuable information for students and faculty seeking potential collaborations, thinking about their career trajectories, or when planning CEd initiatives; for educators trying to develop courses; and for administrators considering creating more formal tracks for those focused on CEd.