BCS warns of academic crisis in computing

The British Computer Society (BCS) have issued a warning that UK is losing its competitive edge, prompting a crisis in the country’s higher education computing departments.

In a recent collaboration between the BCS and the Conference of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC), a survey found clear evidence of difficulties within the academic community – and of the likely repercussions for the future.

Over 90 of the departments surveyed reported having unfilled positions and 13 per cent of those reported at least 20 per cent unfilled positions. As a result staff student ratios are significantly higher than the norm, with one in three operating with staff-student ratios greater than 30. Issues affecting recruitment included workload and bureaucracy, with academic salaries seen as the major impediment to recruitment.

Importantly, 74 per cent of respondents also report that working conditions have deteriorated over the last five years, with infrastructure and equipment lagging far behind what can be offered in the private sector.

Judith Scott, chief executive of the BCS, stated: “This is not a problem that can be ignored – the risks are far too great. In 20 years we could have computing departments with no staff. It is too late to avoid all of the problems now before us, but the longer we leave it, the harder it will get to solve the growing problems.”

The findings also show that while IT courses are attracting high school students as a route to employment, academia is increasingly considered as an unattractive career option, with industrial placements persuading students to abandon their degrees. Existing academics are also ageing (most are aged 40 or over) generating concerns for the future.

Ms Scott concluded: “The UK risks throwing away its essential ICT capacity, both for fuelling high technology growth and for competitive leadership across the economy.” (CL)