STEM Fields' Student Perceptions of Self-Efficacy for a Gender Equality Practice: A Cross-Cultural International Study

• In Event: Social Justice in an International Context

Abstract

Gender equality has been promoted globally by adopting international measures (e.g. gender mainstreaming) to achieve through education more just and sustainable societies.
However, across countries, higher education programs are failing to prepare gender-sensitive professionals. The current study aimed to explore the usability of an instrument designed to meassure and compare cross-culturally Greek and Spanish university students’ perceptions of gender self-efficacy for a gender-sensitive practice upon graduation. The participants were 205 STEM university students (136 Greek, 69 Spanish) in their last year of study seeking a degree in secondary education (n = 98 science, 18 technology, 12 engineering, and 77 math) drawn from seven Greek and Spanish universities. Results are discussed in terms of identified needs for study programs’ curricular reform.

Authors

• Cristina Miralles-Cardona, University of Alicante

• Ioanna Kitta, University of Alicante