Self and Scientist: Diversity and Students’ Images of Scientists

The shortage of women in STEM is attributed to several causes, but key among them is the theory that stereotypes of scientists and engineers foil women’s interest by challenging the development of their scientist identity through the evocation of a negative future social self, an image that women in particular have been found to fear. However, theories about which future selves women value (social versus academic) are largely based in evidence collected from White women, while research suggests that different patterns emerge within different ethnic and racial groups. This presentation will discuss the challenges in measuring scientist identity when working with a diverse sample whose possible selves may conflict (or not) with stereotypes of scientists in varied ways, highlighting the need for culturally competent interventions that challenge stereotypes efficiently (e.g., result in higher scientist identity) and productively (e.g., result in more diverse narratives about who does science)