Article: Futures of science, technology, engineering and mathematics including computer science education: what will the crossroad with liberal arts look like? Journal: International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy (IJFIP) 2023 Vol.16 No.2/3/4 pp.307 - 322 Abstract: Liberal arts education is under attack with pressure to downsize faculty and programs. Their future existence is questionable, in part driven by the priority of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including computer science (STEM/CS) education as evidenced by stakeholder decisions. Despite the abundance of publications in engineering education, solutions are lacking to successfully integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in programs and institutions to support female and minority students. This paper argues for the inclusion of liberal arts programs in STEM/CS curriculum to integrate DEIB and develop graduates for the future of work and the need for successful integration of DEIB at the faculty and institutional level (i.e., leading by example) before evidence of successful integration can be made with students. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Accreditation for Higher Education Programs (AHEP) 4 requirements is further evidence of change and accreditation bodies, and higher education institutes (HEIs) must think long term to integrate DEIB in STEM/CS programs. Several research questions are developed towards the futures of the IET's 200th anniversary in 2071. Foresight exercises are recommended to ensure appropriate institutional policies are developed and actioned given the current lack of solutions. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Futures of science, technology, engineering and mathematics including computer science education: what will the crossroad with liberal arts look like?

Authors: Lionel Huntley Henderson; Gareth Peter Lewis

Addresses: The Sino-British College, USST, 1195 Fuxing Middle Road, Shanghai, 200031, China ' The Sino-British College, USST, 1195 Fuxing Middle Road, Shanghai, 200031, China

Abstract: Liberal arts education is under attack with pressure to downsize faculty and programs. Their future existence is questionable, in part driven by the priority of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including computer science (STEM/CS) education as evidenced by stakeholder decisions. Despite the abundance of publications in engineering education, solutions are lacking to successfully integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in programs and institutions to support female and minority students. This paper argues for the inclusion of liberal arts programs in STEM/CS curriculum to integrate DEIB and develop graduates for the future of work and the need for successful integration of DEIB at the faculty and institutional level (i.e., leading by example) before evidence of successful integration can be made with students. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Accreditation for Higher Education Programs (AHEP) 4 requirements is further evidence of change and accreditation bodies, and higher education institutes (HEIs) must think long term to integrate DEIB in STEM/CS programs. Several research questions are developed towards the futures of the IET's 200th anniversary in 2071. Foresight exercises are recommended to ensure appropriate institutional policies are developed and actioned given the current lack of solutions.

Keywords: accreditation; backcasting; diversity; equity; inclusion and belonging; DEIB; higher education institutes; HEI; engineering education; foresight; futures studies; Institution of Engineering and Technology; IET; science; technology; engineering and mathematics including computer science; STEM/CS; sustainable development goals; SDGs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2023.136705

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2023 Vol.16 No.2/3/4, pp.307 - 322

Received: 04 Oct 2022
Accepted: 16 Jan 2023
Published online: 19 Feb 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Futures of science, technology, engineering and mathematics including computer science education: what will the crossroad with liberal arts look like?

Keep up-to-date