Black Women's Perceptions of STEM Culture(s): A Critical Race Feminist Perspective

• In Event: The Interplay of Culture, Identity, and Motivation for Black and Latina/o Students in STEM Fields

Abstract

Undergraduate Black women contend with a STEM environment and culture that influence and limit their engagement in these educational spaces. Employing a Critical Race Feminist lens enables scholars the opportunity to complicate and challenge the hegemonic culture of STEM. Conducting 28 focus group with 28 self-identified undergraduate Black women this study unveils a sincere representation of the experiences of undergraduate Black women in STEM. This study reveals two themes: (a) Lack of resources that meet their explicit needs as Black Women and (b) Deficit-Based Presumptions of their Capability. This study addresses the ways that current STEM culture marginalizes and limits undergraduate Black women in their STEM journey and welcomes interrogating established norms in STEM, STEM culture and STEM environments.

Authors

• Ekaete Udoh, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Terrell Roderick Morton, University of Missouri - Columbia