I’m Tina Vrieler, a computing education researcher with a passion for equity, critical pedagogy, and the social dimensions of technology. I received a Ph.D. from Uppsala University in June 2025. My dissertation: “Advancing Social Justice in Code Club Education: Exploring Participation, Pedagogy, and Computer Science Capital”—explored how children’s participation in computing is shaped by social and cultural resources, and by understanding these factors, educators can transform their pedagogical and organizational practices to promote and challenge structural inequities.
My work sits at the intersection of computing education research, educational sociology, and social justice. I developed the Computer Science Capital (CSC) framework, inspired by Bourdieu’s theory of capital and the science capital model, to better understand how children’s engagement with computing is influenced by access to social, cultural, and behavioural resources. Through a mixed-methods approach, I examined both the barriers that young people face and the strategies that educators apply to promote inclusion.
But my interest in these questions is deeply personal. Like many others, I entered academia without a map or the cultural capital or mentorship that often makes such a journey smoother. My path into research began with curiosity and a growing awareness of how educational opportunities are unevenly distributed. These early experiences continue to shape my perspective on education, technology, and justice.
I’m especially interested in how young people make sense of emerging technologies—like AI—in their everyday learning, and how we as educators can co-create spaces that are welcoming, critical, and empowering. Whether in classrooms, code clubs, or policy spaces, I believe in reimagining computing education through a lens of social responsibility, cultural humility, and critical consciousness.
Education Background
I received my M.Sc. in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) (2015) and a B.Sc. in Digital Communication and Multimedia (2013), both from Stockholm University.
Tina Vrieler 