Barbara Ericson

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Institute of Technology

Papers

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About

Barbara Ericson is a leading voice in computing education, with a research focus on broadening participation in computing, K-12 computer science (CS) education, and the emerging field of AI literacy. Her work is distinguished by its practical impact, bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and real-world classroom implementation. Her most-cited paper, "AI Literacy in K-12 and Higher Education in the Wake of Generative AI" (2025, 26 citations), provides a critical integrative review that clarifies the ambiguous definition of AI literacy, offering a crucial roadmap for educators navigating the post-generative AI landscape. This work underscores her role as a thought leader in defining how we teach about and with AI. Beyond this, Ericson has made foundational contributions to CS education infrastructure. Her earlier work, "Agent-based expert assistance for visual problem solving" (1997, 9 citations), introduced a domain-independent architecture for human-robot collaboration, showcasing her long-standing interest in intelligent systems. She is also renowned for her hands-on approach to equity, as demonstrated in "How to Plan and Run Summer Computing Camps" (2015, 2 citations), which shares the proven, self-sustaining model she developed at Georgia Tech since 2004 to engage 4th–12th graders. Through her research and camp leadership, Ericson has directly shaped how thousands of students—particularly those from underrepresented groups—first experience computing, making her a pivotal figure in the movement to democratize CS education.