More Like this

1. Graduation rates of women in the US and UK. [Invited panel: Assessing and improving equity in physics learning environments]

   Johnson, A.; Changstrom, J.; Miller-Friedmann, J. (January 2022, American Association of Physics Teachers Winter Meeting)

   Sneak peek at data we will release publicly in 2022: the physics graduation rates of women from historically excluded groups, at all US and UK institutions. US data includes institutions that are above average, average or below average for all women; all women of color; and Black, Indigenous and Latinx women. Users can also construct custom comparison groups. UK data classifies institutions by representation of Black and minority ethnic women among the student body and faculty, rate at which Black and minority ethnic women are hired upon graduating, and Athena Swan standing. This portal will allow physics departments to track their performance; will provide vital information to women who are considering joining particular institutions; and will allow researchers to identify trends among better-performing institutions. We anticipate intense interest in the portal as soon as it is made public; this is your chance to get a preview. 

   more » « less
2. Inequality among the Disadvantaged? Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Earnings among Young Men and Women without a College Education

   https://doi.org/10.1177/23326492221141650  

   Oh, Byeongdon; Mackin Freeman, Daniel; Shifrer, Dara (January 2022, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity)

   Despite the rapid expansion of higher education, many young adults still enter the labor market without a college education. However, little research has focused on racial/ethnic earnings disadvantages faced by non-college-educated youth. We analyze the restricted-use data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 to examine racial/ethnic earnings disparities among non-college-educated young men and women in their early 20s as of 2016, accounting for differences in premarket factors and occupation with an extensive set of controls. Results suggest striking earnings disadvantages for Black men relative to white, Latinx, and Asian men. Compared to white men, Latinx and Asian men do not earn significantly less, yet their earnings likely differ substantially by ethnic origin. While racial/ethnic earnings gaps are less prominent among women than men, women of all racial/ethnic groups have earnings disadvantages compared to white men. The results call for future studies into the heterogeneity within racial/ethnic groups and the intersectionality of race/ethnicity and gender among non-college-educated young adults. 

   more » « less
3. Missed Opportunity for Diversity in Engineering: Black Women and Undergraduate Engineering Degree Attainment

   https://doi.org/10.1177/1521025120986918  

   Fletcher, Trina L; Jefferson, Jay P; Boyd, Brittany N; Cross, Kelly J (August 2023, Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice)

   Efforts dedicated towards broadening participation for Black and other underrepresented groups in engineering at post-secondary institutions has intensified in recent decades. However, Black women have not yet reached parity in undergraduate engineering degree attainment. To elucidate this trend, data from the U.S. Department of Education was analyzed to investigate postsecondary completion for Black women in engineering. Results indicate that the percentage of degrees awarded to Black women has slightly decreased during the last five years when compared to women of all races. However, the percentage of Black women obtaining engineering degrees has increased when compared to the general Black engineering population, with a larger percentage of Black women obtaining engineering degrees compared to their male counterparts than any other ethnicity. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations for research avenues that may strengthen knowledge around the enrollment and retention of Black women in engineering at post-secondary institutions. 

   more » « less
4. The benefits and challenges of a blended peer mentoring program for women peer mentors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

   https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-03-2020-0011  

   Rockinson-Szapkiw, Amanda; Wendt, Jillian L. (November 2020, International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education)

   null (Ed.)

   Purpose The unequitable representation among genders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers remains a persisting challenge. Peer mentoring has been cited as one method for supporting women and racial and ethnic minorities in becoming interested in, experiencing self-efficacy in and persisting in STEM. The current study was undertaken to explore how and in what ways peer mentors' participation in the program (namely, the mentoring experience) influenced their STEM self-efficacy beliefs, interests, skills and behaviors, including their intent to persist and actual persistence in STEM. Design/methodology/approach Using a multisite case study design, the current study implemented a blended peer mentoring program at two historically black institutions. Findings The experience in the peer mentoring process increased mentors' self-efficacy, career interest, perceived mentoring skill development in most areas and intent to persist in STEM. Evidence from the interviews and open-ended survey questions demonstrated that the peer mentoring experience had a direct influence on the mentor's self-efficacy, career interest, leadership and professional skills and persistence. The thematic analysis of the data sources revealed that specific elements of the peer mentoring experience influenced mentors' beliefs, interests, skills and behaviors, including recognition, functioning as a mentor, developing an other's orientation, engaging in a sisterhood and developing competencies. Originality/value Findings support the benefit of the blended peer mentoring program model among women who identify as a racial or ethnic minority across two historically black college or universities (HBCUs). Peer mentoring programs should include training to increase competencies and skills, should provide resources targeted to specific mentor needs and should include opportunities for self-reflection and components of faculty support. 

   more » « less
5. Factors Associated with Prenatal Health Behaviors among Low-Income, Ethnic Minority Women

   https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031695  

   Urizar, Guido G; Murillo, Joshua; Miller, Karissa (February 2023, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

   Less than one-third of pregnant women in the U.S. meet prenatal nutrition, exercise, and stress management health behavior guidelines. Low rates of these prenatal health behaviors have been especially observed among low-income, ethnic minority women, placing them and their infants at a disproportionally higher risk for health complications. Yet, few studies have identified factors associated with these prenatal health behaviors in this population. This study examined whether certain demographic (e.g., ethnicity) and psychosocial characteristics (i.e., coping, stress, pregnancy-specific stress, and depression) were associated with prenatal nutrition (i.e., high-fat food and fruit and vegetable intake), exercise, and stress management health behaviors in 100 low-income, pregnant women (39% African American, 30% foreign-born Latinas, 15% U.S.-born Latinas, 10% non-Hispanic white, and 6% Asian American/Pacific Islander) in southern California using an embedded, mixed-methods, cross-sectional design. Results demonstrated that ethnic minority women who experienced more stress and used more maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., avoidance) were particularly at risk of consuming more high-fat foods and engaging in less exercise and stress management during pregnancy. Qualitative responses revealed women’s experiences with these prenatal health behaviors. These findings highlight the need for interventions and collaborative care models that target psychosocial factors in order to optimize prenatal health behaviors and health outcomes among ethnic minority women. 

   more » « less