IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jscscx/v13y2024i2p74-d1325709.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Empowering Undergraduate Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine: Exploring Experiences, Fostering Motivation, and Advancing Gender Equity

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew James Phillips

    (Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

Abstract

The representation and success of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) have sparked discussions, given their underrepresentation in these traditionally male-dominated fields. While women comprise 40% of STEMM undergraduates, senior-level positions see this figure drop below 20%. Research suggests that gender disparities in STEMM participation result from motivational differences, rather than competence. Exploring the reasons for these disparities are important as they can have significant consequences for the acknowledgement of women in STEMM, the maintenance of their STEMM discipline, and future careers. As such, this study explored how the experiences of 13 female undergraduates in Australian STEMM programs impacted their motivation and persistence in their degree. Through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, analysed via reflexive thematic analysis, five themes were constructed, encapsulating diverse experiences shaping female undergraduates in STEMM, influencing self-efficacy, determination, and well-being. Early exposure and environment were pivotal, acting as motivators or deterrents. Additionally, peer support was suggested as being crucial, fostering belongingness in the male-dominated space. Participants also grappled with recognition challenges, influenced by gender imbalances and a lack of role models. Intimidation was evident, leading to thoughts of dropping out, but passion drove persistence amid these challenges. The research increases awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by female undergraduates in STEMM, offering valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance their university experiences and promote success in future STEMM careers.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew James Phillips, 2024. "Empowering Undergraduate Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine: Exploring Experiences, Fostering Motivation, and Advancing Gender Equity," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:74-:d:1325709
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/74/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/74/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohd Aliff Abdul Majid & Mohhidin Othman & Siti Fatimah Mohamad & Sarina Abdul Halim Lim & Aziz Yusof, 2017. "Piloting for Interviews in Qualitative Research: Operationalization and Lessons Learnt," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(4), pages 1073-1080, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Matthew James Phillips, 2024. "From Nuclear to Diverse: Shifting Conceptualisations of Marriage among Australia’s 1960s Generation—A Qualitative Study," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Kirsty Mollie Way & Jessica Elizabeth Bourne & Miranda Elaine Glynis Armstrong, 2023. "“I’m Hooked on e-cycling, I Can Finally Be Active Again”: Perceptions of e-cycling as a Physical Activity Intervention during Breast Cancer Treatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Matete Lerutla & Renier Steyn, 2025. "African Business Leadership and Effectiveness: Perspectives from South African Leaders," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, February.
    4. Kazi Ziaul Zafri & Tippawan Lertatthakornkit & Sarana Photchanachan & Tao Zhu & Walton Wider, 2024. "Weathering the Inflationary Storm 2021-2022: Crisis Management Modalities for the Informal Microenterprise Sector," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(5), pages 47-61, September.
    5. Sagan Mariusz & Sannegadu Rajesh & Pudaruth Sameerchand & Juwaheer Thanika Devi & Lamport John Matthew, 2024. "A qualitative study to explore the drivers, perceived benefits, and barriers of mobile marketing adoption – the case of Mauritius," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 60(4), pages 259-271.
    6. Jeadran Malagón-Rojas & Eliana L. Parra B & Marcela Mercado, 2020. "Infection and Risk Perception of SARS-CoV-2 among Airport Workers: A Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-17, December.
    7. M. A. A. Majid* & S. F. Mohamad & S. A. H. Lim & M. Othman, 2018. "Piloting for the Multidimensional Job Satisfaction Instrument in the Offshore Work Setting," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 37-44:6.
    8. Nurul Syawani Afieqa Abd Wahid & Faizah Mohd Fakhruddin, 2025. "Work From Home (WFH) Experience: A Case of M Telecommunications Company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(2), pages 161-178, February.
    9. María Leonor Conejeros-Solar & María Paz Gómez-Arizaga & Robin M. Schader & Susan M. Baum & Katia Sandoval-Rodríguez & Sandra Catalán Henríquez, 2021. "The Other Side of the Coin: Perceptions of Twice-Exceptional Students by Their Close Friends," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, June.
    10. Mohammad AlSaied & Patrick McLaughlin & Mohamed Afy-Shararah & John Patsavellas & Abdullah Alkhoraif, 2025. "Cultural Dynamics and Ambidextrous Innovation: Insights from Saudi Arabia’s Project-Based Organizations—A Thematic–Explorative Study," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-38, March.
    11. Matthew James Phillips, 2024. "Protected, But Unprotected: Qualitatively Exploring the Experiences of Western Australian Academics During the COVID-19 Pandemic," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:74-:d:1325709. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.