Reimagining Equity and Policy: Investigating the Experiences of Women of Color (WoC) Social Scientists in STEM-Centered Institutions

Research Project, 2026 – 2027

Women of color (WoC) scientists continue to face gender inequity, irrespective of their organizations. However, there is no work that systemically investigated WoC social scientists who work in STEM-centered environments, especially how disciplinary norms, organizational cultures, and social traditions shape and impact their experiences.

This study addresses this gap by investigating the intersections of WoC social scientists at the personal, disciplinary, organizational, and social levels. Using multimethod of duoethnography, cross-national surveys, focus groups, and policy analysis, the project aims to offer a dynamic understanding of WoC experiences in the academy that accounts for their diverse lived experiences. Drawing on its empirical data, the study will develop an evidence-driven conceptual framework for transforming organizational culture to recognize diverse knowledge production and research structures to foster realist gender equity practices.