Higher Education Policies for Female Retention in Computer Science
V. Pavlov (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
S. de Wit – Mentor (TU Delft - Web Information Systems)
Efthimia Aivaloglou – Mentor (TU Delft - Web Information Systems)
G.S. Vardoyan – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Quantum Computer Science)
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Abstract
The underrepresentation of women in computer science (CS) programs is an important issue that needs to be addressed in order to promote gender inclusivity and innovation. The following study is a literature review of 42 papers published between 2005 and 2024. It investigates the effectiveness of different higher education policies and practices in retaining female students in computer science programs. Key areas of the paper include holistic admissions and bridge programs, anti-discrimination policies, support programs, and inclusive curriculum design, such as introducing practical context to education and adopting inclusive learning techniques. The research findings show that all these strategies enhance female retention in CS, by, for example, creating a sense of belongingness, increasing motivation and engagement, removing economic barriers, providing networking and career opportunities. A key takeaway of the paper is that each strategy has its own unique contributions and combining different policies strengthens and complements individual effects. Because of that, any party interested in applying these policies needs to carefully study the educational environment and then choose the most adequate set of measures.