Women of color in IT: degree trends and policy implications

Research on the degree trends in information technology focuses either on gender OR racial gaps. Since degree trends are different for women of color than for white women, it may be the case that what works for one group will not work for the other. Therefore, policy designed to increase women of color in the information technology workforce should be based on research on women of color. In the absence of such research, policy is often based on research either on men of color or white women. Basing policy for women of color on research or men of color or research on white women results in practices and initiatives that are flawed at best, and ineffective at worst. Therefore, much research needs to be done on women of color - specifically, African Americans and Hispanics.