Navigating STEM-worlds: Applying a lens of intersectionality to the career identity development of underrepresented female students of color

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the term intersectional trap. This is defined as the act of saying blanket statements to describe a race or group of individuals without considering variations of experience within the population. The paper will end with recommendations for research focusing on qualitative studies that explore the lived experiences of students as they form their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers and practitioners must focus on how students develop their social, academic and intellectual identities as they become a scientist, doctor or engineer. This includes the development of their core identity – perceptions they have of themselves as well as perceptions of those with whom they work and interact.

Findings

One of the main obstacles researchers and practitioners face include how to help students adapt to the norms of STEM-worlds (classrooms and work environments related to STEM) as they proceed through the path to becoming a STEM professional.

Originality/value

Knowing that female students of color are underrepresented in STEM is not enough. This paper will discuss the need for an intersectionality lens when considering how to retain talented female students of color in university STEM programs. Researchers and practitioners must focus on how students develop their social, academic and intellectual identities as they become a scientist, doctor or engineer.

Citation

Sparks, D.M. (2017), "Navigating STEM-worlds: Applying a lens of intersectionality to the career identity development of underrepresented female students of color", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 162-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-12-2015-0049