Although women in academia remain underrepresented in computer science, they are better represented in applied computing research than theoretical research. However, a new study has found computer science faculty perceive applied research as less prestigious. If not addressed, these negative perceptions could further exacerbate the field’s persistent gender gap.
For their study, co-authors Samantha Kleinberg of the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Jessecae Marsh of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, surveyed 100 computer science faculty sourced from the top 100 ranked computer science departments in the United States. The participants were shown descriptions of a fictional professor’s research and asked several questions regarding each professor’s career prospects and quality of research.
The participants consistently perceived professors conducting applied research as less likely to publish their research in prestigious venues, earn tenure, be promoted to full professor, receive grant funding, and win a prestigious award. They also rated applied researchers as less brilliant, creative, and technically skilled. Despite viewing applied research as less prestigious, the participants rated applied and theoretical research as equally important.
Dr. Kleinberg and Dr. Marsh confirmed these perceptions align with objective data regarding grants, publications, and awards. Applied computer science research receives less grant funding and is less likely to receive prestigious awards than theoretical research.
According to the authors, many women enter the computer science field to solve real-world problems through applied methods. However, if the topics attracting them to computer science are devalued, the field’s historic gender disparities could potentially compound.
“Notably our survey did not mention gender, so negative views were held regardless of who may be conducting the work,” the authors write. “Thus, men conducting applied research may be perceived negatively as well. However, given that women are being brought to the field of computer science through an emphasis on applied computing, our results suggest a need to examine what this means for their future careers.”
They continue, “Our findings are important for anyone engaged in evaluating faculty and important for faculty doing applied research, who may unknowingly be penalized by these negative views. To the extent that the field of computer science aims to increase the representation of women, it will have to address how to value and recognize applied research.”
Dr. Kleinberg is the Farber Chair Professor of Computer Science at the Stevens Institute of Technology, where she has taught since 2012. She earned her Ph.D. in computer science from New York University.
Dr. Marsh is a professor of psychology and associate dean for interdisciplinary programs and international initiatives at Lehigh University. She holds a Ph.D in cognitive psychology from Yale University.