The Academic Resilience of Doctoras in STEM

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Culture and Resilience

Abstract

In this study, ten Latinas were interviewed about their academic and career trajectories through the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. The participants had received their doctoral degrees in a STEM field at Research I institutions and were employed at college, university, or industry settings. By obtaining their doctoral degrees, these women exhibited patterns of academically resilient behavior or succeeding in the face of significant barriers. Some of the risk factors or challenges that these women faced included: parental concerns, cultural taxation, and racism, sexism, and microaggressions. The protective factors or strengths and supports that helped participants overcome these challenges included: early experiences with STEM, academic role models/mentors, and access to diversity offices.

Author

• Liza Renee Lizcano, Stanford University