Situated Occupational Role Identity and Undergraduate Research Engagement

• In Event: 540 - Section on Science, Knowledge, and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Science, Knowledge, and Technology Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Scientific Careers and Education

Abstract

We examine: 1) researcher role-identity salience and attitudes towards a research career among several thousand undergraduates at a large public university, and 2) how researcher role-identity salience and research career attitudes relate to awareness of university research-related opportunities, interest and research activity involvement. We focus the most on science majors because of extensive prior research in this area, but also compare them with other major concentrations. Special attention is paid to first generation college students, as well as to the effects of gender, ethnicity, and major field. Gender, ethnicity, college major, and first generation college student status influence facets of role-identity salience. The results may help explain undergraduate attitudes toward and identification with prospective occupational role-identities as well as student awareness, interest, and involvement in research activities.

Authors

• Susan Carol Losh, Florida State University

• Brandon Nzekwe, Florida State University