This talk will examine the accreditation process and it's principles.
Watch the video
Synopsis
Accreditation will always be a work in progress in how to best support students, employers and Higher Education Providers. Accreditation of Computer Science degree programmes has been divisive since its inception. In this context "Computer Science" is meant to indicate a broad range of programmes such as Software Engineering, Computer Technologies, Information Technology, Computer Science or similar titles.
The value of professional body degree accreditation regimes includes: kite-marking and promoting the development of a globally-portable and recognised workforce. Equally, the respective national (or otherwise) regimes are criticised for being perceived to be unnecessarily bureaucratic; constraining innovation in learning and teaching; generating revenue streams rather than for the benefit of a discipline or wider society; and colonial and paternalistic in nature.
This talk examines the principles of accreditation, the different types of accreditation that exist, the challenges in having an accreditation process that is robust but also not labour intensive, considerations around licence to practices and an evaluation of the current state of play of the BCS accreditation process.
About the speaker
Alastair Irons
Alastair is a Professor of Computer Science and Academic Dean for Faculty of Technology at the University of Sunderland. He has worked in higher education for 30 years after starting his career with ICI. His current subject specific research centres on cybersecurity and digital forensics - particularly on approaches to proactively reducing cybercrime; evaluating threat sharing protocols and procedures; and professional accreditation in digital forensics. Alastair is also interested in pedagogic research in computer science - focusing on problem based learning but also assessment and feedback.
Alastair is a Fellow of the BCS and is currently VP Academic and chair of the BCS Academy Board of Computing. He has been involved with accreditation for nearly 20 years and has done two stints as chair of the BCS Academic Accreditation Committee. He is currently working with colleagues on a review of BCS accreditation.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
This event is brought to you by: BCS Bristol branch
