Highlights from WiCS+E March Event: Building Inclusive Computational Skills

This year, we hosted an inspiring Women in Cognitive Science – Widening Inclusivity in Cognitive Science (WiCS+E) March event, with over 80 participants joining online to discuss gender gaps in coding and modeling, and how to address barriers to improve research methods and foster interdisciplinary careers.

The discussion brought together diverse perspectives on programming, inclusivity, and the future of computational skills in cognitive science.

Speakers

• Ana Paqui Palenciano (University of Granada)
  “Coding from (Neuro)Science & Reprogramming Stereotypes”
• Alina Herderich (University of Graz)
  “Building Inclusive Computational Skills”
• Cecilia Baldoni (Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior)
  “Building Inclusive Computational Skills”

Why This Conversation Matters

We began by revisiting a persistent issue: women remain underrepresented in technical and computational roles, including coding and modeling in cognitive science. Importantly, performance differences do not explain this gap.

Research instead highlights factors such as confidence, self-efficacy, stereotypes, and the learning environment. Supportive teaching and mentorship have measurable effects on participation and persistence.

This is precisely why this event was organised: to discuss how education, community, and open practices can help close the gender gap and build more inclusive computational spaces.

Selected literature:

• O’Dea, R. E., Lagisz, M., Jennions, M. D., & Nakagawa, S. (2018). Gender differences in individual variation in academic grades fail to fit expected patterns for STEM. Nature Communications, 9(1), 3777. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06292-0
• Liu, S., Dai, Y., Ng, O. L., & Cai, Z. (2025). Gender Disparity in Computational Thinking Pedagogy and Assessment: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 37(4), 114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10095-3

💻 Do We Really Need to Learn How to Program?

Short answer: Yes.

Programming increases:

• Control
• Flexibility
• Automaticity
• Precision
• Transparency
• Reproducibility in science

However, access to programming is not neutral. Stereotypes around “who a programmer is” (male, brilliant, socially awkward, white…) often collide with stereotypes about psychologists (empathetic, caregiving, “soft science”). These conflicting images shape confidence and self-perception long before actual performance does.

Strategies discussed to widen access:

• Early exposure to programming
• Addressing the “elephant in the room”: explicitly teaching about gender gaps and stereotypes
• Diversifying role models
• Fighting structural barriers to real access

Initiatives showing that change is possible:

• Programming in Psychological Science – A Practical Introduction
• SheCodesPsy (3-day immersive course for female+ psychology students)
• How to Start Your Coding Club

🧠 Interdisciplinarity in Action

Drawing from their interdisciplinary research paths combining psychology and computer science, the speakers emphasized two key messages:

• Don’t ask what Computer Science can do for you — ask what you can do for Computer Science.
• Cognitive Science expertise is not secondary — it is essential for meaningful, theory-driven computational research.

Slides from the event:

• Alina Herderich’s slides: View here
• Cecilia Baldoni’s slides: View here

🤖 What About LLMs and AI?

During the Q&A, we addressed the growing role of large language models and AI in programming and research:

• Yes, use LLMs — but do not trust outputs blindly
• Avoid copy–paste learning when you are starting
• Learn the basics first, then integrate AI strategically
• Contribute to open science initiatives (e.g., The Turing Way)
• Contribute to the tools you use (e.g., PsychoPy)

One particularly important takeaway was the self-evaluation gap: many researchers underestimate their skills. The advice was clear — contribute anyway. Your code improves by being used, shared, and discussed.

You can also sign up for the PsychoPy workshop (March 9th):
PsychoPy for WiCS Series – My First Pull Request

Explore the Micro-Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Society (University of Graz):
AI and Society Microcredential

Closing

Thank you to all speakers and participants for such a rich and thoughtful discussion.

Building inclusive computational skills in cognitive science is not optional — it is part of building better science.

Special thanks to PsychoPy for organising additional workshops during March to commemorate Women’s Month. You can find all the information and enrollment details here: Workshop information and registration

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