MotherScholars in STEM Fields: A Mixed-Methods Study on MotherScholars in STEM

• In Event: Faculty Careers in STEM

Abstract

Women faculty members who are minorities in their fields have historically been underrepresented in STEM disciplines. In addition to these women being underrepresented, mothers are an even more underrepresented group. Understanding how these MotherScholars have persisted to tenure and promotion increases the knowledge base of how to help these MotherScholars be successful in STEM fields. This study is a convergent mixed methods case study where a case study and a survey are employed to understand how women in STEM are able to persist to tenure and promotion. This study uses Expectancy-Value Theory to examine the expectancies, values, and costs of being a MotherScholar in STEM. The study, data and implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Jessica L Spott, Texas Tech University

• Kamau Siwatu, Texas Tech University