How individuals come to perceive themselves in STEM is predicated on their understanding of what it means to be a member of the STEM community. This association is consequential when considering the perpetuation of white male ownership of STEM knowledge and power that forces learners identifying with groups systemically marginalized by racial and…

As the United States works towards strengthening and diversifying the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce, many national charges aim to increase the quantity of female participants, while overlooking how systematic barriers affect the quality of female students' education. Many STEM workforce development programs, such as…

There is a general consensus among scholars that a gender disparity exists in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields (Moss-Racusin et al., 2018). With men holding a large proportion of faculty positions in STEM departments, they occupy a unique position wherein they may utilize their privileged status and serve as allies…

This study investigates the influence of K-12 STEM education on the retention rates of Black women pursuing STEM majors in higher education institutions in Texas. The problem addressed in this study is the unknown influence of K-12 STEM education on Black women majoring in STEM in Texas higher education institutions. This research aims to describe…

Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) represent a widespread method of evaluating effective teaching by colleges and universities. Literature suggests SETs are biased against women and members of underrepresented groups, and their validity and reliability have been called into question. Some evidence suggests student gender, as well as instructor…

The purpose of this qualitative interview-based study is to explore the experiences of female higher education students currently enrolled in math-intensive STEM majors in universities in Kazakhstan and identify the factors that determine their retention and success in STEM education. The lesson from this study is twofold: (1) one compelling…

The gender imbalance in computer science (CS) is one of the most challenging issues in American education. CS is the only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field in which women's representation has steadily declined in recent decades. In this study, we explored one potential approach that could be effective in increasing…

The under-representation of women in computer science education courses is well documented, and the social and commercial need to address this is widely recognised. Previous literature offers some explanation for this gender imbalance, but there has been limited qualitative data to provide an in-depth understanding of existing quantitative…

This article is concerned with the source of men's invisible advantage in the male-dominated disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It is suggested that this advantage has been obscured by combining sponsorship and mentoring. The research asks: Are men or women most likely to be mentored? Is it possible to…

Women continue to be underrepresented within the STEM field. This qualitative, narrative, research student explores the expectations and experiences of women enrolled in a STEM program during their second year. Focusing on understanding their relationships with academic advising, faculty, and peers of all genders. Semi-structured interviews were…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore how nineteen Latina college students described their unique challenges as Hispanic women and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) students while attending a STEM program at three Hispanic Serving Institutions in southern California. Women, particularly Latinas, remain vastly…

This study evaluates the mathematical autobiographies of college and university faculty in order to identity (1) barriers that hinder success in mathematics, especially among groups underrepresented in STEM, and (2) strategies to reduce existing inequalities and promote effective pedagogy in both mathematics and quantitative reasoning (QR)…

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career pathways can be both lucrative and transformative in regard to social change (e.g., Christensen, Knezek, & Tyler-Wood, 2014; Fuesting, Diekman, & Hudiburgh, 2017; Wang, Ye, & Degol, 2017). However, research shows that STEM learning environments are inhospitable to students…

Physics- and computer-related disciplines are strongly male dominated in Western higher education. Feminist research has demonstrated how this can be understood as reflecting a strong privileging of mind and rationality (over body/nature/emotions) in these disciplines, which harmonises with broader notions of masculinity as transcendental and…

This open access book addresses challenges related to women in STEM in higher education, presenting research, experiences, studies, and good practices associated with the engagement, access, and retention of women in the STEM disciplines. It also discusses strategies implemented by universities and policymakers to reduce the existing gender gap in…