Prison Bars & Bird Cages: Conducting an Arts-Based Participatory Research Project with Undergraduate Women in STEM

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Prison Bars & Bird Cages: Conducting an Arts-Based Participatory Research Project with Undergraduate Women in STEM
Language: English
Authors: Batsheva Guy, Tziporah Feldman
Source: i.e.: inquiry in education. 2024 16(1).
Availability: Center for Inquiry in Education. National Louis University, 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603. Tel: 800-443-5522 x2277; e-mail: digitalcommons@nl.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Participatory Research, Student Projects, Undergraduate Students, Females, STEM Education, Art Activities, Photography, Audio Equipment, Audiovisual Aids, Art Products, Student Attitudes, Research Opportunities, Sex Fairness, Self Esteem, Student Interests
ISSN: 2154-6282
Abstract: The "chilly" science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) climate in undergraduate settings has been widely documented, as women in STEM majors frequently face discrimination, microaggressions, and implicit bias from their professors and peers. While undergraduate research experiences can help women in STEM overcome some of the barriers they face, these opportunities are not always accessible and inclusive. Although there is a breadth of literature on this topic, many studies utilize traditional quantitative and qualitative methods and do not take the authentic, individualized voices of these women into account. The present study integrates two arts-based participatory methodologies--Photovoice and collage inquiry--to explore the following questions: (1) What are the experiences of women in STEM majors at a large midwestern research-intensive university? (2) How do these women experience conducting and/or seeking research opportunities? Four themes emerged from the analysis of the triangulated data: (1) lack of equity in STEM, (2) lack of awareness of opportunities, (3) confidence in STEM abilities, and (4) passion for STEM. While the first two themes encompass barriers that women in STEM face, the second two themes demonstrate the strengths of women in STEM.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1432373
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The "chilly" science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) climate in undergraduate settings has been widely documented, as women in STEM majors frequently face discrimination, microaggressions, and implicit bias from their professors and peers. While undergraduate research experiences can help women in STEM overcome some of the barriers they face, these opportunities are not always accessible and inclusive. Although there is a breadth of literature on this topic, many studies utilize traditional quantitative and qualitative methods and do not take the authentic, individualized voices of these women into account. The present study integrates two arts-based participatory methodologies--Photovoice and collage inquiry--to explore the following questions: (1) What are the experiences of women in STEM majors at a large midwestern research-intensive university? (2) How do these women experience conducting and/or seeking research opportunities? Four themes emerged from the analysis of the triangulated data: (1) lack of equity in STEM, (2) lack of awareness of opportunities, (3) confidence in STEM abilities, and (4) passion for STEM. While the first two themes encompass barriers that women in STEM face, the second two themes demonstrate the strengths of women in STEM.
ISSN:2154-6282