Impostor Phenomenon Among Hispanic/Latino Early Career Researchers in STEM Fields

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Twelve
  In Roundtable Session: Beyond the Bachelors: Exploring the Experiences of Latina/o/x Gradaute Students, Researchers, and Staff (Table 9)

Abstract

Experiencing impostor phenomenon encompasses self-deprecating beliefs/perceptions about lack of ability, incompetence, attributing one’s success to luck and deceit. The research question examined how Hispanic/Latino early career researchers (ECRs) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields describe ethnicity-based experiences of impostor phenomenon during doctoral/postdoctoral training. Twenty-nine US-based ECRs were interviewed. Participants were recruited purposefully and by snowball sampling through professional networks and social media. Interviews were coded and thematically displayed using constant comparison. The following themes were constructed: 1) family background, 2) disparity in observable traits and ethnic identity, 3) communicating in English, and, 4) enhance diversity. Impostor phenomenon in connection with racial, ethnic, and other identities is poorly understood; culturally-informed understanding requires more research.

Author

• Devasmita Chakraverty, Indian Institute of Management
  Presenting Author