Becoming an engineer: Doctoral women's perspectives on identity and learning in the culture of engineering

Abstract

Women face many obstacles in their academic careers but there is a gap in the research with regards to their perceptions of science and engineering education and how non/participation in the culture of engineering affects their identities. Moreover, little research has been conducted with female Ph.D. students especially with regard to the reasons they have continued their studies, and their level of satisfaction with their career and lives. This study was guided by the sociocultural approach and theories of learning and identity. Methodologically, the design adopted is a naturalistic qualitative inquiry using two open-ended interviews with participant verification after the first interview. The life history narratives (Mishler, 1999) obtained from the seven doctoral electrical and mechanical women engineers, at various stages in their programs, were the primary source of data. By examining the path of becoming a doctoral woman engineer, this study makes the educational experiences of women intelligible to the general public as well as policy makers. It gives voice to the women engineers whose perspectives are rarely heard in academic settings or mainstream society. The findings of the study lend insight to the importance and necessity of more inclusive engineering education, incorporating not only women's studies courses into the curriculum but anti-racism education as well as including the perspective of 'Other' people of difference. Moreover, multi-perspective approaches to increasing enrolment and retention of women in engineering were more effective and in keeping with addressing notions of 'difference' in engineering populations.