'Computing, we have a problem …'

Abstract

In May 2005, Jim Foley (Board Chair of the Computing Research Association) published an abstract that was titled with these words: "Computing, We Have a Problem …". The main purpose of Dr. Foley's article was to discuss the image problem within computing, that "the public does not fully understand, and hence does not appreciate, what computing is and why computing and computing research are important" [1]. He then considered the consequences of this image problem (e.g., decreased enrollments in computing degree programs) and stated what CRA planned to do to rectify the situation. While Dr. Foley's article did not mention women, minorities, or persons with disabilities, it is clear that several groups in our society are tremendously impacted by the image problem that exists within computing. In this article, we begin by discussing the lack of participation that exists for those who are trained in computing (i.e., people who have the skills to develop computer hardware and software). We then discuss why this digital divide should be of high concern to everyone, what we can learn from other previously male-dominated fields, what you can do to help improve the current situation, and what the future might hold.