“Keep It Going, Girl!” An Empirical Analysis of Gender Differences and Inequalities in Computer Sciences

Authors

  • Silvia Maria Förtsch Faculty of Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences at the University of Bamberg
  • Anja Gärtig-Daugs Faculty of Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences at the University of Bamberg
  • Sandra Buchholz Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business Administration
  • Ute Schmid Faculty of Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences at the University of Bamberg

Keywords:

computer sciences, academic achievement, professional self-efficacy beliefs, career ambitions, career opportunities, gender equality

Abstract

This article aims to investigate gender differences among German computer sciences graduates. Utilizing data from the unique Bamberg Alumnae Tracking Study, we analyze whether or not male and female graduates differ in their level of academic achievement in computer sciences. We also examine the graduates’ self-perceptions of their professional skills as well as their individual career ambitions and career opportunities. The results of our empirical study show that the academic achievements of female graduates within our sample group are as good as those of male graduates. However, female graduates exhibit lower self-belief in their professional skills, partly because lower-achieving male graduates still display very high professional self-efficacy beliefs, irrespective of their previous academic achievements at university. Additionally, we find differences in men’s and women’s career ambitions and career opportunities in computer sciences. The career ambitions and career opportunities of male graduates depend less on their academic achievements at university, whereas female graduates have to be very ambitious to be able to hold a leadership position in the same field. Overall, we interpret these findings as indicative of the presence of gender stereotypes within computer sciences.

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Author Biography

  • Silvia Maria Förtsch, Faculty of Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences at the University of Bamberg
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    Silvia Förtsch studied educational sciences (B. Sc.) at the University of Hagen and empirical educational research (M. Sc.) at the University of Bamberg. She worked as assistant of the Women in Computer Science Equal Opportunities Officer and organized a mentoring program for female students of computer science. From 2012-2015, she was a research associate at the project “Alumnae Tracking”. Since 2015 she works as PhD candidate in the project “Career Coaching in STEM”. Her research interests include longitudinal research on educational and professional pathways, career aspirations, life course research, and gender studies.

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Published

26-06-2018

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Special Issue: Girls' and women's participation in STEM: Past lessons and possible futures

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How to Cite

“Keep It Going, Girl!” An Empirical Analysis of Gender Differences and Inequalities in Computer Sciences. (2018). International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 10(2), 265-286. https://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/article/view/512