Social Science Impact Accelerator: Empowering Diverse Developers: Evidence-Based AI Education for Inclusive Tech Training

This project builds on and amplifies the impact of my British Academy-funded research examining how Generative AI can support underrepresented groups in software development training. Working with Code Your Future (CYF), a social enterprise training refugees and disadvantaged individuals for tech careers, we will translate research findings into practical educational interventions. The project addresses the critical challenge of ensuring equitable access to AI-enhanced programming education. That study, now complete in terms of fieldwork (34 interviews and over 100 hours of observation at CYF), revealed that while GenAI tools can democratise coding skills, their effective use requires structured guidance, particularly for novice developers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Building on these insights, the proposed project will translate findings into three impact-oriented interventions with CYF: (1) a six-week advanced training track on effective GenAI use for CYF graduates; (2) a design pilot for a prototype app for formative, inquiry-based code review; and (3) comprehensive guidelines on GenAI use across training levels aligned with CYF’s strategy. These interventions are designed to address challenges highlighted by the British Academy project and to create transferable resources for the wider training and policy community. Their short- and medium-term impact will be evaluated during the project, while long-term outcomes will continue to be tracked beyond the lifetime of the grant. This ensures that robust social science research leads to sustained, practical, and inclusive change in programming education.