Authoring Counternarratives: A strategy to persist in science for Undergraduate women of color biology majors

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session One
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT038 (Wednesday)

Abstract

To enhance the quality of undergraduate science education, this study investigates the experiences of women of color (WoC) in biology using an asset-based lens and intersectional framework. Grounded theory qualitative analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. Twenty participants were interviewed on their experiences in science. Findings reveal that undergraduate WoC majors seek to author their own counternarratives to persist in science. Along with that the participants identified five types of support they received from across six sites of support that aid them on their path in science. These findings help illuminate further the specific intersectional needs of WoC and create a clearer map to where they receive support and how they define it in their own words.

Author

• Carol Umanzor, University of Michigan