A Cross-National Comparison of Computing Students’ Sense of Belonging in Ireland and Scotland

One of the most important aspects of students’ academic experiences is their sense of belonging, which supports their motivation, persistence, and overall wellbeing. Previous studies have shown that various complex factors, including gender, race, LGBTQIA+ membership, socioeconomic status, past experiences, and institutional culture, influence students’ sense of belonging in computing. This study compares undergraduate computing students’ sense of belonging in Ireland and Scotland, highlighting key demographic and contextual factors. We found that gender and minoritisation continue to be significant factors, but their impact differs across national settings. Our findings demonstrate that social interaction and clubs/societies membership are consistently associated with higher belonging in both Irish and Scottish contexts. This work supports the development of targeted interventions to improve students’ sense of belonging in computing, particularly across different regional and institutional environments. Future work will expand this comparison to include Wales and England to develop a broader perspective across Ireland and the UK.