(Barker, Lecia Jane - 2017) -- President's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Award
Overview
description
Lecia Barker studies the social contexts and educational strategies best suited to achieving information literacy in our rapidly digitizing society. In addition to investigating best practices for information technology pedagogy, Barker researches the ideologies and cultural assumptions that structure computer education and the technology industry. For instance, she has written about how to achieve gender parity in computer education, which could remedy the gender disparity in the tech industry and correct its often-criticized hiring and pay practices. A consistent concern in her research is improving women’s representation in the industry, and she serves as a senior research scientist for the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Professor Barker has published academic articles in numerous peer-reviewed books and journals and has secured competitive research grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, among other organizations. She has served as an advisor for many organizations, including the College Board, CSNYC, Harvard, Harvey Mudd and a Georgia Tech/University of Massachusetts partnership. In addition, she works to influence and educate technology professionals about her research by writing public-facing articles.
