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ERIC Number: EJ1457883
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 34
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4308
EISSN: EISSN-1098-2736
Available Date: N/A
Experiences of Marginalized Women Pursuing Doctoral Degrees in Chemistry: The Critical Role of Recognition
Tamera Jones; Rehnuma Ahmed; Elizabeth Cieza; Justin M. Pratt; Maia Popova
Journal of Research in Science Teaching, v62 n2 p576-609 2025
Even though marginalized women are earning more doctoral degrees in chemistry than ever before, the proportion of women who complete chemistry doctorates does not reflect national population trends. Previous research has explored the experiences of marginalized women seeking chemistry doctorate degrees. These studies highlight the issues that marginalized women face but do not explain why they face them or the systemic issues that underpin these experiences. This study captures the firsthand experiences of marginalized domestic and international women (Black, Hispanic/Latina, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous) pursuing graduate degrees in chemistry. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 participants to understand how their social identities might impact the development of their science identities. Intersectionality and the Science Identity Model informed both the interview guide and the interpretation of our data. Deductive and inductive coding, constant comparative analysis, and thematic analysis were used to examine the interplay between participants' identities and experiences. We found that recognition had a critical impact on women's science identities. Results show that participants received more positive recognition than negative from their academic community. The participants who received mostly positive recognition developed research, teaching, and altruistic science identities. Most of the positive recognition was associated with research accomplishments, which is not surprising since doctoral programs in chemistry focus primarily on research training. Conversely, the participants who received mostly negative forms of recognition developed disrupted science identities. These women described being tokenized, taken advantage of, and having their accomplishments dismissed because of their gender, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, sexist and racist comments surrounding appearance, speech, and demeanor contributed to a diminished sense of being taken seriously and, consequently, feeling less like a scientist.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A