We are here too: Experiences of Tokenism in Women Majoring in Engineering
Faculty Sponsor
Nicole Willms, Gonzaga University
Research Project Abstract
This sociological study looks at the experience of women engineer majors at Gonzaga University. The questions that guide this research are focused on Kanter’s theory on how token women experience visibility, polarization, and assimilation. To answer these research questions, in-depth interviews from women engineer majors were conducted and transcribed and coded for themes. Data collection will be completed over the following couple weeks. One preliminary finding is in group projects the women typically take an organizing role due to the assumption by other students and the women themselves that they are supposed to be better at note taking and planning. The male students also tend to be condescending towards women students especially when stuck working with one in a lab. However, others baby the women and prevent her from actually doing anything. These findings reflect only the beginning to the complex discoveries from the research.
Session Number
RS10
Location
Robinson 210
Abstract Number
RS10-a
We are here too: Experiences of Tokenism in Women Majoring in Engineering
Robinson 210
This sociological study looks at the experience of women engineer majors at Gonzaga University. The questions that guide this research are focused on Kanter’s theory on how token women experience visibility, polarization, and assimilation. To answer these research questions, in-depth interviews from women engineer majors were conducted and transcribed and coded for themes. Data collection will be completed over the following couple weeks. One preliminary finding is in group projects the women typically take an organizing role due to the assumption by other students and the women themselves that they are supposed to be better at note taking and planning. The male students also tend to be condescending towards women students especially when stuck working with one in a lab. However, others baby the women and prevent her from actually doing anything. These findings reflect only the beginning to the complex discoveries from the research.
