Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women
This research focuses on the experiences of six undergraduate white women who are physics and astronomy majors. Specifically we conducted semistructured, empathetic interviews that reveal how uncomfortable physics environments inside and outside of the classroom, which were often propagated by male...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Physical Society
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Physics Education Research |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020134 |
| _version_ | 1797678074859356160 |
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| author | Lisabeth M. Santana Chandralekha Singh |
| author_facet | Lisabeth M. Santana Chandralekha Singh |
| author_sort | Lisabeth M. Santana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This research focuses on the experiences of six undergraduate white women who are physics and astronomy majors. Specifically we conducted semistructured, empathetic interviews that reveal how uncomfortable physics environments inside and outside of the classroom, which were often propagated by male instructors and peers, excluded undergraduate women. The women give accounts of the behaviors of their male peers and instructors that influenced the physics culture. We use standpoint theory to focus on the experiences of undergraduate women to provide a holistic perspective of physics as well as identify key issues that these women faced in their undergraduate physics program. We also share the suggested strategies, provided by the undergraduate women, to implement in the future to support current and future undergraduate women in physics and astronomy. Their suggestions are divided between individual and departmental actions. Some of the departmental actions include providing mentoring for women, training sessions, and establishing a code of conduct. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:54:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2080fc81bf804934affd97dd769e51ec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2469-9896 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:54:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review Physics Education Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-2080fc81bf804934affd97dd769e51ec2023-09-21T18:33:31ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Physics Education Research2469-98962023-09-0119202013410.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020134Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate womenLisabeth M. SantanaChandralekha SinghThis research focuses on the experiences of six undergraduate white women who are physics and astronomy majors. Specifically we conducted semistructured, empathetic interviews that reveal how uncomfortable physics environments inside and outside of the classroom, which were often propagated by male instructors and peers, excluded undergraduate women. The women give accounts of the behaviors of their male peers and instructors that influenced the physics culture. We use standpoint theory to focus on the experiences of undergraduate women to provide a holistic perspective of physics as well as identify key issues that these women faced in their undergraduate physics program. We also share the suggested strategies, provided by the undergraduate women, to implement in the future to support current and future undergraduate women in physics and astronomy. Their suggestions are divided between individual and departmental actions. Some of the departmental actions include providing mentoring for women, training sessions, and establishing a code of conduct.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020134 |
| spellingShingle | Lisabeth M. Santana Chandralekha Singh Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women Physical Review Physics Education Research |
| title | Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| title_full | Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| title_fullStr | Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| title_short | Effects of male-dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| title_sort | effects of male dominated physics culture on undergraduate women |
| url | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020134 |
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