Abstract:
The computer science field has had a problem with diversity, specifically among women, Black,
and Latinx populations. This has remained since the 1980s despite other STEM fields seeing
improved diversity. It is important to determine why the computer science field continues to
struggle with this so that a solution can be found. There are many proposed reasons for why this
gap has remained, one of these being the stereotypical portrayals of computer scientists in
popular media. Analyzing several film and television portrayals of computer scientists
illuminated the specific facets of the stereotypes in computer science. Some of the films and
television shows analyzed include Jurassic Park, Office Space, Kim Possible, Mr. Robot, Tron,
and Big Bang Theory. The stereotypical portrayals of computer scientists are damaging to the
diversity of the field. Those who consume the media may come to believe that the stereotypical
representations are the only people that belong in the field or those who are different may not be
accepted. Changing the way that computer scientists are portrayed in popular media is of great
importance when encouraging those who are underrepresented in the field to pursue it.
