Building, Recruiting And Inclusion for Diversity Initiative Seeking Affiliate Schools

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The following is a post by Roshni Kasad, Ph.D., Sr. Program Manager, Academic Initiatives, Anita Borg Institute.

BRAID Logo

The BRAID (Building, Recruiting And Inclusion for Diversity) initiative is a joint project led by the Anita Borg Institute (ABI) and Harvey Mudd College. The BRAID project addresses the lack of diversity in computer science departments and specifically looks at the underrepresentation of women and racial/ethnic minorities.

Would your school like to participate? BRAID is now accepting applications for new BRAID affiliate schools, and proposals are due by 5 pm on December 30, 2016.

How Does The Program Work?
Under the leadership of their department chairs, 15 CS departments are receiving support to implement departmental changes. Additionally, a research team at UCLA is leading a study that will track the departmental changes being made to determine which changes are most effective at increasing the participation of women and students of color in the CS major.

logosParticipating BRAID schools are required to take action to address a minimum of 3 of the following commitments:
1) Modify introductory CS courses to make them more appealing and less intimidating to underrepresented students.
2) Lead outreach programs for high school teachers and students.
3) Build confidence and community among underrepresented students.
4) Develop and/or promote joint majors in areas like CS and biology that are attractive to underrepresented students.

Affiliates are schools that are working toward implementing BRAID commitments to increase diversity in their CS departments but are not receiving funding through the initiative.

Affiliates will have the opportunity to:

  • Be part of a network of other BRAID schools
  • Share and learn best practices from one another in increasing diversity in CS departments.

Department Chairs from affiliates are required to be the main liaison and attend the annual BRAID Summit, which will occur in July 2017 at the Harvey Mudd campus.

How To Apply To Participate
To apply to participate, Department Chairs should compose a proposal (2 pages maximum) on what your CS department has already been doing to address diversity and what you intend to do by participating in BRAID. Note that an application will be considered only if it is submitted by a Department Chair. Please send your proposal by the December 30th deadline to academicinitiatives@anitaborg.org.

The BRAID initiative launched in September 2014 in partnership with universities across the nation to increase the percentage of women and students of color majoring in computer science.