Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7810-7370

Date Available

8-12-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College

Education

Department/School/Program

STEM Education

Faculty

Cindy Jong

Abstract

This research study examines the challenges Black women encounter when in predominantly white, male academic and professional science settings, where they experience dual discrimination because of their race and gender. These biases perpetuate the negative stereotype that Black women are less competent than white men. This mixed methods study examines how Black women navigate their race, gender, and science identities within predominantly white institutions through their doctoral programs and professional science careers. The study implements Critical Race Mixed Methodology to combine survey data for a wide reach with interview data for detailed exploration. The study involved eight Black women science faculty members who came from various locations and academic fields of biological sciences and science education.

The research identifies three key themes: Self-Identification in Academic Science Spaces, Belonging in Academic Science Spaces, and Lived Experiences in Academic Science Spaces. The study shows that science identities develop through the combination of racial and gender factors, and belonging depends on specific situations, and discrimination affects both career goals and professional routes. The study provides essential knowledge about how race and gender interact to form the academic and professional journey of Black women in STEM fields while demonstrating

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.366

Funding Information

This study was supported by the Department of Education STEM Education department in summer 2025.

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