Webs of science: mentor networks influence women's integration into <scp>STEM</scp> fields

Hernandez, Paul R.; Patterson, Megan S.; Nyanamba, Juliet M; Adams, Amanda S.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bloodhart, Brittany; Burt, Melissa; Clinton, Sandra M.; Pollack, Ilana B.; Fischer, Emily V.

doi:10.1002/fee.2666

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…These differences in network characteristics likely point to differential access to resources and benefits. A recent study of undergraduate women found that those with larger, more close-knit networks had a greater sense of scientific identity and were more likely to continue onto graduate studies (Hernandez et al, 2023). By participating and supporting mentoring programs, within your institution or scientific society, we can all help early career scientists build and diversify their networks.…”

Section: Mentoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

Barnes,

Wolford,

Almaraz

et al. 2024

JGR Biogeosciences

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We examined data from the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world's largest earth and space science society, to characterize demographics of multiple milestones in a biogeoscientists' career. Geoscientists of color and White women make up a smaller proportion of those participating in activities critical to transitioning from student to professional (submitting manuscripts, getting published, and receiving review invitations) in comparison to White men. Gender parity for biogeoscientists appears within reach at earlier career stages, with 37% of AGU Biogeosciences members and 41% of Biogeosciences attendees at the Fall Meeting identifying as women in 2020. The demographics of those successfully completing activities required for career advancement, that is, publishing and reviewing with Journal of Geophysical Research and Global Biogeochemical Cycles, two biogeoscience journals, illustrate more progress is needed. A large majority of manuscripts were submitted by men (73%), many of which have no co‐authors that identify as women or non‐binary geoscientists. Further, our communities' bias of who we suggest as reviewers, results in 85% of the reviewer invites going to White geoscientists and 63% going to men. Thus, while representation of diverse communities has improved in some areas, barriers to publishing result in authorship not reflective of society: only 25% of accepted manuscripts were led by self‐identified geoscientists of color and fewer than 5% were led by women geoscientists of color. It is critical that efforts to diversify move beyond gender, to ensure that scientists of color are also afforded the access and opportunity needed to thrive as biogeoscientists.

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Section: Mentoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

Barnes,

Wolford,

Almaraz

et al. 2024

JGR Biogeosciences

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show abstract

“…For early career scientists, conferences present unique opportunities to meet fellow scientists, access resources, and grow their networks 2004. The characteristics of one's network determines access to information, opportunities, and resources (Hernandez et al 2023). An analysis of AGU Fall Meeting presentation abstracts from 2014-2018, illustrated that men's and women's networks, as defined by co-authorship, were inherently different.…”

Section: Manuscript Acceptance Data 2012-2021mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Manuscript Acceptance Data 2012-2021mentioning

confidence: 99%

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

Barnes,

Wolford,

Almaraz

et al. 2023

Preprint

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We examined data from the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world’s largest earth and space science society, to characterize cohort demographics of multiple milestones in a biogeoscientists’ career. Geoscientists of color and White women make up a smaller proportion of those participating in activities critical to transitioning from student to professional (submitting manuscripts, getting published, and being asked to review) in comparison to White men. However, gender parity for biogeoscientists appears within reach at earlier career stages, with 37% AGU Biogeosciences members and 41% of Biogeosciences attendees at the Fall Meeting identifying as women in 2020. Unfortunately, data is lacking to make the same assessment for geoscientists of color. A large proportion of manuscripts are submitted by men (73%), many of which have no co-authors that identify as women or non-binary geoscientists, which likely points to inequitable resources and a greater service burden for scientists from historically excluded groups. Further, our communities’ bias of who we suggest as reviewers results in 85% of the reviewer invites going to White geoscientists and 63% going to men. Thus, while representation of diverse communities has improved in some areas, barriers to publishing results in journals not reflecting society: 25% and 22% of manuscripts were led by or included non-White geoscientists, respectively, and fewer than 5% and 7% were led by or included non-White, women geoscientists, respectively. Therefore, in sectors like academia where publishing remains critical for advancement, this process represents a significant obstacle for biogeoscientists not already part of the majority.

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When perceived similarity overrides demographic similarity: examining influences on STEM students’ developmental mentor networks

Pedersen,

Woodcock,

Schultz

et al. 2024

IJ STEM Ed

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Background While dyadic faculty–mentored relationship research currently saturates the mentoring literature, recent developments suggest the need for a broader consideration of a student's mentor network. Research taking a network approach may provide deeper insights into the formation and benefits of mentorship for undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Utilizing Developmental Mentor Network Theory and ego-centric social network analysis, this pre-registered study evaluates how the characteristics of mentees and mentors relate to both the content of support and structure of mentor networks in a large sample of White and Hispanic/Latino(a) STEM undergraduates across 12 universities. Results Results were nuanced but showed that perceived psychological similarity with their mentor(s) predicted both dyadic and network average levels of mentor support (i.e., psychosocial, career, role modeling) and relational satisfaction. Furthermore, results point to homophily and engagement in undergraduate research effects on mentor network structures. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of using a network approach to deepen our understanding of the factors (e.g., psychological similarity) that may influence the formation and maintenance of robust and diverse supportive mentoring networks.

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Webs of science: mentor networks influence women's integration into STEM fields

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

Not Enough: Efforts to Diversify Biogeosciences Benefit Limited Segment of Society

When perceived similarity overrides demographic similarity: examining influences on STEM students’ developmental mentor networks

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