Asians differentiated: Tracing the career paths of mobile Asian and Asian American academics in the United States

• In Event: How Does Mobility Change Researchers, Research Groups And Scientific Communities? (III)

Abstract

The representation of racial and ethnic groups in science and engineering (S&E) education and employment is different from that in the U.S. population. While Asians account for only 6% of total population, they are overrepresented among S&E doctoral recipients and academic workforce, and are not considered minorities in higher education. Despite Asian Americans’ higher levels of educational attainment on average, the vast majority of Asian faculty members are not born in the U.S., indicating that they may have a rather different education history than their White or Asian American colleagues. This highlights the problematic assumption of Asians as a homogenous ethnic group, disregarding diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. Moreover, the treatment of Asians the same as Whites in the higher education workforce is questionable, given the latter accounts for 78% of early career doctorate holders. Drawing data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), the current study seeks to disentangle Asian academics, examining differences among those who have immigrated and those who were born in the US examining career paths, nature of employment, and types and prestige of employment institutions.

Author

• Pei-Ying Chen, Indiana University - Bloomington