scholarly journals Advancing Women of Color in STEM: An Imperative for U.S. Global Competitiveness

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary V. Alfred ◽  
Sarah M. Ray ◽  
Michele A. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Early Years ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Mathematics

The Problem The underrepresentation of people of color in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has become a crisis of significant proportion. The crisis is more pronounced when we examine participation by race and gender and explore how these two primary identity dimensions serve to marginalize women of color in STEM fields. These differential representations start during the early years and continue within institutions of higher education and the workplace. The Solution To address the absence of women of color in STEM, it is important to understand the forces that hinder and support their career development, beginning with early childhood experiences and throughout education and work environments. Interventions promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion must start in early and secondary education and continue through academia and the workplace. Stakeholders Addressing this crisis is the responsibility of leaders of public and higher education and those of business and industry.

scholarly journals Intersectionality, Identity Politics and Violence Against Women of Color

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
Keyword(s):  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Identity Politics ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
White Women ◽  
Racial Violence ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Racial Stratification ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Experiences Of Women

Identity-based politics has been a source of strength for people of color, gays and lesbians, among others. The problem with identity politics is that it often conflates intra group differences. Exploring the various ways in which race and gender intersect in shaping structural and political aspects of violence against these women, it appears the interests and experiences of women of color are frequently marginalized within both feminist  and antiracist discourses. Both discourses have failed to consider the intersections of racism and patriarchy. However,  the location of women of color at the intersection of race and gender makes our actual experience of domestic violence, rape, and remedial reform quite different from that of white women. Similarly, both feminist and antiracist politics have functioned in tandem to marginalize the issue of violence against women of color. The effort to politicize violence against women will do little to address the experiences of nonwhite women until the ramifications of racial stratification among women are acknowledged. At the same time, the anti-racist agenda will not be furthered by suppressing the reality of intra-racial violence against women of color. The effect of both these marginalizations is that women of color have no ready means to link their experiences with those of other women.

scholarly journals “We’re Being Released to a Jungle”: The State of Prisoner Reentry and the Resilience of Women of Color

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Garcia-Hallett
Keyword(s):  
Women Of Color ◽  
Prisoner Reentry ◽  
The State ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Social Structural ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Gender

The punitive carceral system is expected to tame people of color into docile bodies through their imprisonment. Furthermore, the oppressive and punitive U.S. context embodies patriarchy and injustice in which women of color endure unique obstacles at the intersection of race and gender. Given the power structures built to destabilize women of color before and after incarceration, this study uses interview data to examine their perseverance through carceral systems. The findings illustrate how oppressive regimes shape postincarceration obstacles and explore how women of color combat social-structural inequalities after incarceration.

scholarly journals Undergraduates’ awareness of White and male privilege in STEM

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Dancy ◽  
Katherine Rainey ◽  
Elizabeth Stearns ◽  
Roslyn Mickelson ◽  
Stephanie Moller
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
White Men ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
White People ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Systemic Factors ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background It is well-documented that experiences in STEM courses for women and students of color are different from the experiences of White men. As part of a larger interview study, 183 college seniors from diverse gender and race backgrounds were asked their thoughts on whether the experience of being a STEM major was different for people of different races and genders. We use a framework of “science as White property”, derived from critical race theory, to frame this study and results. Results White men were largely unaware of any impact of race or gender. In contrast, women of color overwhelmingly report, consistent with results from a large body of prior research, that both race and gender impact their experiences as STEM majors. Students who acknowledged race and gender impacts did not always attribute these impacts to cultural or systemic factors (i.e., some reported women are underrepresented because they are less interested in STEM rather than a structural reason). Impacts identified that were attributable to systemic factors included impacts related to being a demographic minority (i.e., intimidation, feeling out of place, feeling pressure to work harder) and/or discrimination (i.e., job discrimination, bias against women or people of color and cultural assumptions implying the superiority of White people and men). A small number of students (mostly White women) stated that women or people of color benefit from their underrepresented status, often attributing this benefit to a perception of extra encouragement and opportunities. A common theme across categorizations was that women and students of color work harder than men and White people either because they are perceived to be harder workers or as a response to the sexism and racism they encounter. Conclusions We found that White men are largely unaware of the impacts of race or gender on the pursuit of a STEM degree. Additionally, with the exception of women of color, students are less likely to perceive race as having an impact on the experiences of students than gender. We conclude with a discussion of implications for future work related to gender and race representation in STEM.

scholarly journals Prospective Teachers’ Perceptions of Oral Presentations: An Exploration of Challenges Involved

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zafar Iqbal ◽  
Effat Alvi ◽  
Farhat Shafi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Oral Presentations

Presentation skills are considered as one of the most important proficiencies needed for higher education and future careers for teachers. The present study identifies the challenges faced by prospective teachers during classroom oral presentations while studying at a teacher training institute, Institute of Education and Research, (IER). The participants of the study were 400 prospective teachers enrolled in different programs of teacher education at IER. Independent variables were measured, number of semesters already completed at the institute, gender and GPA in the completed semesters. A questionnaire was developed comprising three main sections: personal traits, oral presentation skills and peers and teachers. The statements were developed on a five-point Likert Scale to know the opinion of prospective teachers regarding challenges involved in oral presentations. In addition, a semi-structured interview was conducted from thirty prospective teachers to probe results obtained from quantitative analysis and investigate reasons behind emerging challenges. The findings revealed that prospective teachers experienced medium level of difficulties in oral presentations with mild tendency towards high rank.  There was no significant difference found in the results regarding the number of semester students already completed, GPA and gender in general, whereas, statistically significant difference was found on factor peer and teachers with respect to variable gender only. Analysis of qualitative data revealed tangible reasons behind the challenges of oral presentations such as second language, personal traits and use of technology. There is a need to encourage sharing of ideas, discussions and presentations in the classrooms right from the early years of school through higher education in order to enable learners to become confident, vocal and effective teachers.

Navigating the Landscape of the STEM Professoriate

2019 ◽  
pp. 22-65
Author(s):  
Pamela M. Leggett-Robinson ◽  
Brandi Campbell Villa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Trade Magazines ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

In 1976, the challenges faced by women of color who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields were first brought to national attention. Forty-two years later, the authors re-examine the challenges, barriers, and successes of women of color in STEM higher education. This chapter examines the landscape of the STEM professoriate through a literature review (journals, trade magazines, theses, and dissertations) and reflective shorts and quotes from women of color navigating the STEM professoriate. The literature review spans a 10-year period (2008-2018). Both the review and the reflections focus on the areas of STEM belonging, self-presentation, stereotyping, institutional racism, discrimination, and tokenism as challenges faced by women of color in the STEM professoriate. Additionally, mechanisms used by women of color to navigate and succeed despite these barriers, such as mentoring, are explored throughout.

STEM Fields and Ethnic Women in New Zealand

2018 ◽  
pp. 1203-1229
Author(s):  
Charles Mpofu
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Mathematics

A critical race theory was used to analyse policies and strategies in place to enable the participation of New Zealand ethnic women of Latin-American, Middle Eastern, and African (MELAA) origin in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields (STEM) in education and industry. The aim was to find out what policy – and other – levers are available for better participation in the STEM fields by the ethnic women's population. The process involved an analysis of publicly available official documents on STEM strategies at national and regional levels. The main findings were that gender issues are expressed in a generic way, either across all ethnic groups, or across the four ethnic groups where the MELAA stands not clearly identifiable in the classifications. Recommendations include the need to develop policies and strategies that account for race and gender equity as part of an agenda to eliminate marginalization of this group.

“I Didn't Come to Play”

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-69
Author(s):  
Sereana Naepi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender

Pasifika women in the academy face many of the same challenges as other racialised women working in universities. At the intersection of race and gender, we experience the white and masculine imprints of higher education. These imprints lead to Pasifika women experiencing excess labour, infantilization, hyper-surveillance, stranger making, expectations of intelligibility, and desirable diversity. In spite of this daily onslaught Pasifika, women continue to work and engage in higher education and the question needs to be asked: Why? This chapter explores these experiences and more importantly the motivations of Pasifika women to continue to engage with higher education in spite of the systemic exclusion they face.

Redesigning GE Language

2022 ◽  
pp. 22-40
Author(s):  
Paula Cronovich ◽  
Jacqueline Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
The United States ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Diverse Groups

This case study delineates changes enacted in the cultural program for beginning-level Spanish language students at a private, faith-based university. Given the restrictions of the pandemic insofar as virtual teaching and learning, as well as the national and international context of racial strife and inequities, the instructors took the opportunity to utilize antiracist pedagogy in order to reach the goals of meaningful content and measurable student outcomes. One of the General Education learning outcomes demonstrates how well students understand the “complex issues faced by diverse groups in global and/or cross-cultural contexts.” Within the context of Latin America and the Latina/Latino experience in the United States, the assignments focus on the intersections of race and gender as they relate to cultural expressions, ensuring that the approach does not obfuscate contributions nor realities of people of color.

Race, Gender, and Emotion Work among School Principals

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Ispa-Landa ◽  
Sara Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Emotional Labor ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
White Women ◽  
Novice Principals ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Managerial Authority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender And Emotion ◽  
Over Time

Researchers have highlighted how gendered associations of femininity with emotional labor can complicate professional women’s attempts to exercise managerial authority. However, current understandings of how race and gender intersect in professional women’s emotional labor remain limited. We draw on 132 interviews from eight white women and 13 women of color who are novice principals. White women began the principalship wanting to establish themselves as emotionally supportive leaders who were open to others’ influence. They viewed emotional labor as existing in tension with showing authority as a leader. Over time, however, most white women reported adopting more directive practices. By contrast, women of color reported beginning the principalship with a more directive, take-charge leadership style. They viewed emotional labor and authority as part of a blended project and did not talk about these two aspects of leadership as existing in tension. Over time, their self-reported leadership style changed little. We analyze our findings in light of recent theorizing about gender and intersectionality.

Sensitivity to Status-Based Rejection: Implications for Female and Minority Criminal Justice Majors

2019 ◽  
pp. 215336871988543
Author(s):  
Natalia D. Tapia ◽  
Wendi Pollock ◽  
Christopher Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
Criminal Justice Students ◽  
Professional Careers ◽  
American Students ◽  
Criminal Justice Majors ◽  
And Gender

Now more than ever, criminal justice agencies are looking to fill their ranks with a diverse workforce that reflects the populations they serve. Criminal justice is a field where diversity matters, is encouraged, and is sought after in recruitment efforts. Also, research shows that females are highly effective in this discipline due to their unique communication skills. Therefore, it is important for females and minorities to feel they are welcomed and belong in those agencies. This article explores how perceptions affect the employability of women and people of color. Exploring their level of confidence or anxiety about their future ability to adapt to their work environment could offer insights on how to better support criminal justice students and on how to help agencies to better integrate and maintain diversity in their organizations. This study examines criminal justice students’ sensitivity to status-based rejection. Specifically, college students in the field of criminal justice were surveyed regarding their anxieties and beliefs about how others’ perceptions of their status (gender, race, and/or ethnicity) might affect their professional careers. Results suggest that while females of all races and African American students of any gender are significantly more likely to be concerned about the potential for status-based rejection when employed, or trying to become employed, in the field of criminal justice, female Hispanic students are concerned about the combined effects of their race and gender on their future careers. Policy implications are discussed.

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