Conference Session

Equity and Belonging

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Felicity Bilow, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Lucas Adams, Clarkson University; Mohammad Meysami, Clarkson University; Jan DeWaters, Clarkson University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY), Liberal Education/Engineering & Society Division (LEES)

coursework, suggesting that as they become more aware of theimportance of non-technical skills (i.e. professional skills such as communication, writing,creativity) they may feel less like they belong in the engineering profession.Previous findings have indicated that coursework highlighting the broader social aspects ofengineering can help attract and retain women, who view the social aspects of engineering asmore important than do their male peers. While we found strong positive relationships amongself-confidence, understanding the broad nature of engineering, sense of belonging inengineering, and attitudes toward persisting and succeeding in engineering for all studentsregardless of their exposure to sociotechnical coursework, our findings suggest

Conference Session

Equity and Belonging

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kaitlyn Anne Thomas, University of Nevada, Reno; Kelly J Cross, Georgia Institute of Technology; Isabel Anne Boyd, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Marie C. Paretti, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY), Liberal Education/Engineering & Society Division (LEES)

wasn’t given the opportunity.Carroll mentions a “type of expertise” that is required for communicating with the men on herteam to understand where they “click.” The type of expertise she refers to is the understanding ofthe ways in which peers with shared identities operate socially and in a cohesive manner (wherethey “click”). This is the process of examining the hidden epistemologies that drive the socialinteractions she has with her team. Because of the historically white male majority inengineering and Carroll’s positionality as the only African American female on her team, sheacknowledges silently the potential her gender and race play in her exclusion from socialinteractions with others on her team.Carroll learns of the necessity of