Role Modeling as a Computing Educator in Higher Education: A Focus on Care, Emotions and Professional Competencies

This paper provides insights into role modeling by educators in computing that is beyond the technical, theoretical and rational perspectives which have historically been described as dominant in computing. Surveying 199 educators in higher education, we have built on frameworks of role modeling, care, emotions, and professional competencies as a lens to see different ways of engaging in computing. Our quantitative and qualitative findings show how educators model ways of caring (for oneself, other humans and living species, technology, and the planet), emotions, professional competencies and other types of role modeling. Examples of contexts within computing and reasons why an educator can(not) model these aspects bring new light to research on care and emotions being shown in computing. This work contributes to a better understanding of computing educators as potential role models, particularly in terms of displaying emotions and various types of care. Our work can support ways of developing the professional competences of computing educators and the teaching culture of computing departments. Our findings may inspire other educators to think about their own display of emotions and care, and what this transmits to their students. Thus, the work also contributes to the discussion of ways to increase diversity among students and equitable access to computing education.