Asian Female Scholars' Stories About Identity Formation

• In Event: 68.061 - Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: 68.061-19 - Research on Identity of Women and Girls in Education

Abstract

This study explores autobiographical narratives told by Asian female scholars about their experiences as academics going through the tenure process. Employing a combination of qualitative research and discourse analysis, I show how their autobiographical stories both represent and help construct senses of themselves as scholars struggling with the constraints and opportunities provided by gender and ethnicity. Findings reveal barriers and constraints faced by Asian female scholars, such as the model minority myth, higher expectations for their performance and double standards about their assessment. They take these challenges as opportunities to move forward, build their identities and find their pathways toward becoming engaged teachers, scholars, and advocates for other Asian female scholars.

Author

• Deoksoon Kim, Boston College