Few studies have empirically investigated the specific factors in mentoring relationships between undergraduate researchers (mentees) and their mentors in the biological and life sciences that account for mentees’ positive academic and career outcomes. Using archival evaluation data from more than 400 mentees gathered over a multi-year period (2005–11) from several undergraduate biology research programs at a large, Midwestern research university, we validated existing evaluation measures of the mentored research experience and the mentor-mentee relationship. We used a subset of data from mentees (77% underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities) to test a hypothesized social cognitive career theory model of associations between mentees’ academic outcomes and perceptions of their research mentoring relationships. Results from path analysis indicate that perceived mentor effectiveness indirectly predicted post-baccalaureate outcomes via research self-efficacy beliefs. Findings are discussed with implications for developing new and refining existing tools to measure this impact, programmatic interventions to increase the success of culturally diverse research mentees and future directions for research.

This case study investigated how mentors and mentees in biology experience and understand race and ethnicity in their research mentoring relationships. Semistructured interviews were conducted with mentors (n ϭ 23) and mentees (n ϭ 15) who had participated in an undergraduate biology summer research opportunity program at a large Midwestern research-intensive university. Interview transcripts were coded using an inductive, thematic analysis. Themes that emerged are presented, describing both participants' experiences with and beliefs about race and ethnicity in research training contexts (e.g., mentoring relationships, lab and field experiences). Although similarities were identified, the experiences and beliefs of mentors and mentees were not always aligned. Implications of the findings for training interventions and institutional partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of research mentoring relationships are discussed, with the goal of positively impacting the educational success of students from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in science career pathways.

School Psychologists are called to increase the well-being of clients they serve. However, despite a focus on supporting academic and behavioral success, school psychology has been used to enforce Eurocentric standards of normalcy and behavior on students in schools, punishing and excluding those deemed different. "Othering" is rooted in a legacy of educational indoctrination and assimilation negatively impacting students from minoritized backgrounds and represents a "colonial present". To evaluate the epistemic violence endemic to school psychology, we conducted a systematic literature review of the most recently published literature across five school psychology journals (n = 627) utilizing a decolonial framework. Articles were coded for demographic inclusion, empirical approach, disciplinary context, minoritized inclusion level, and acknowledgment of author situatedness and roles in maintaining colonialist structures. While, 81% of studies included some degree of minoritized inclusion, less than 5% of these articles utilized culturally responsive approaches or acknowledged colonialism or white supremacy. Recommendations for a movement toward a more decolonial approach to school psychology research are discussed.

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