The future of our profession

Abstract

this article is to contribute to this discussion from a Scandinavian perspective. We begin by presenting a framework for understanding our profession and for discussing possible changes. The framework offers competing conceptions in terms of professional focus, approach, and role. We then use the framework in an examination of the current discussion within the ACM. The cited articles---in spite of having different motivation and purpose---all identify a need for professional changes in education, research, and practice. But, we argue, the changes suggested are insufficient to meet the demands placed on our profession by the ongoing changes in technology and society. As a consequence, we propose a more radical position on the future of our profession, with technology in use as its foundation, and we outline a new curriculum for the education of computer professionals