Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-16-2022
Abstract
Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion often lack a theoretical basis, which can unintentionally exacerbate issues. In this paper, we describe the development and evaluation results of a theoretically grounded workshop aimed at reducing microaggressions and promoting ally engagement among graduate students in science and engineering. In Study 1, using a Delphi method, eight science and engineering faculty members with backgrounds in diversity efforts provided feedback on workshop development. In Study 2, 107 graduate and advanced undergraduate students engaged in the 90-minute interactive workshop. Results indicate that attendees found the workshop valuable, developed new skills for ally engagement, and planned to engage as an ally moving forward (all averages of closed-ended assessments were 4.21 out of 5.00 or higher). Themes that were identified from qualitative responses mapped onto learning objectives, including raised awareness about microaggressions, sufficient practice, and confidence to improve one’s academic climate. Although microaggressions are common in science and engineering spaces, the present findings illustrated that, for many attendees, the information was new, including research on microaggressions and evidence-based ally strategies. This study offers a theoretically grounded intervention that facilitates intentional behavioral changes, which can help students change norms to support the advancement of women and people of color.
Recommended Citation
Amy C. Moors, Lindsay Mayott & Benjamin Hadden | (2022) Bridging the research-practice gap: Development of a theoretically grounded workshop for graduate students aimed at challenging microaggressions in science and engineering, Cogent Social Sciences, 8:1, 2062915, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2062915
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Educational Sociology Commons, Engineering Education Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Higher Education Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Other Education Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Cogent Social Sciences, volume 8, issue 1, in 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2062915