Voices of Hope: A Phenomenological Study on Women’s Self-Efficacy in Computer Engineering

Andrea Ramirez-Salgado; Pavlo Antonenko; Swarup Bhunia; Christine Wusylko; Woorin Hwang; Yessy Eka Ambarwati

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: Messaging, Motivations and Supports for Women Engineers
Tagged Division: Women in Engineering Division (WIED)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 13
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/57335

Paper Authors

biography

Andrea Ramirez-Salgado University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0002-0001-2672

visit author page

Andrea Ramirez-Salgado is an Instructional Assistant Professor in Engineering Education at the University of Florida, where she teaches courses in artificial intelligence and data science. Her research examines how instructional practices shape students’ identities in engineering and computer science, and how these identities affect their career goals and persistence. She is particularly committed to creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that support diverse learners.

visit author page

biography

Pavlo Antonenko

visit author page

Pavlo "Pasha" Antonenko is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Florida. His interests focus on the design of technology-enhanced learning environments and rigorous mixed-method research on the effective conditions for tec

visit author page

author page

Swarup Bhunia

biography

Christine Wusylko University of Florida

visit author page

Christine a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida. She draws on over 10 years of experience teaching science and technology across grade levels K-16, to produce useful and usable knowledge, which is both driven by problems of practice and is theoretically grounded. Her research and development program is centered on helping young people develop AI and STEM literacy in authentic learning environments.

visit author page

biography

Woorin Hwang University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0001-7260-3431

visit author page

Woorin Hwang is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida. Her research is focused on assisting learners' career choices by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning, with ongoing projects related to AI literacy, Edge AI, and recommender system in engineering education. Prior to joining the University of Florida, she worked as a teacher and instructional designer in South Korea.

visit author page

author page

Yessy Eka Ambarwati University of Florida

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in computer engineering (CE) is not just a disparity but a symptom of deeper systemic issues that the field has struggled to address for decades. Despite numerous initiatives, the factors discouraging women from entering and persisting in this domain—such as cultural biases, gender stereotypes, and a lack of relevant role models—remain deeply entrenched. These barriers hinder innovation and reduce the diversity of thought needed to tackle today’s complex technological challenges. While efforts such as mentorship programs and diversity campaigns have been introduced, progress remains frustratingly slow. To create lasting change, it is clear that we need to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences and support systems that enable women to thrive in CE.

This study sought to address the ongoing gender gap in CE by examining the essence of the lived experiences of four women during their first year in a CE program, with a focus on the sources of their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is an essential construct in understanding women’s success in CE, as it directly affects their motivation, resilience, and performance. Drawing from Bandura’s theory (2006), self-efficacy is shaped by four main sources: a) mastery experiences that build confidence through achievements, b) vicarious experiences that strengthen confidence by observing others' success, c) social persuasion, such as encouragement from mentors or peers, and d) physiological and emotional states, which influence how individuals interpret their emotions in challenging situations. Conducted at a large R1 public institution in the southeastern U.S., this study examined women enrolled in an equity-centered introductory embedded systems course. Using transcendental phenomenology and identity mapping techniques, it explored their experiences through in-depth interviews conducted at two critical points: the end of their first semester, when they had recently completed the course, and again three months later. This longitudinal approach allowed for a deeper exploration of how their self-efficacy evolved over time, revealing key insights into the factors that influenced their persistence in CE.

The course was designed as a project-based learning experience, empowering students to build self-efficacy by engaging in hands-on work with embedded systems to solve real-world challenges. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship between various factors that both supported and challenged the women’s confidence. Overcoming technical challenges and excelling in their projects provided essential mastery experiences that built resilience. However, while observing women role models offered vicarious learning benefits, societal biases frequently undermined this positive impact. Social persuasion, particularly from supportive mentors and peers, was crucial in fostering a belief in their capabilities, though interactions with men peers sometimes eroded this confidence. Physiological and emotional states, including stress and anxiety, added another layer of difficulty, yet moments of recognition emerged as the women began to see their unique contributions within a men-dominated space. This study underscores the urgent need for more inclusive environments and strategies that nurture women's self-efficacy, emphasizing the importance of systems that counteract negative influences. These insights are key to empowering women in CE to persist, innovate, and lead in a field that needs their contributions.

Citation
Format

Ramirez-Salgado, A., & Antonenko, P., & Bhunia, S., & Wusylko, C., & Hwang, W., & Ambarwati, Y. E. (2025, June), Voices of Hope: A Phenomenological Study on Women’s Self-Efficacy in Computer Engineering Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/57335

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - The underrepresentation of women in computer engineering (CE) is not just a disparity but a symptom of deeper systemic issues that the field has struggled to address for decades. Despite numerous initiatives, the factors discouraging women from entering and persisting in this domain—such as cultural biases, gender stereotypes, and a lack of relevant role models—remain deeply entrenched. These barriers hinder innovation and reduce the diversity of thought needed to tackle today’s complex technological challenges. While efforts such as mentorship programs and diversity campaigns have been introduced, progress remains frustratingly slow. To create lasting change, it is clear that we need to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences and support systems that enable women to thrive in CE.

This study sought to address the ongoing gender gap in CE by examining the essence of the lived experiences of four women during their first year in a CE program, with a focus on the sources of their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is an essential construct in understanding women’s success in CE, as it directly affects their motivation, resilience, and performance. Drawing from Bandura’s theory (2006), self-efficacy is shaped by four main sources: a) mastery experiences that build confidence through achievements, b) vicarious experiences that strengthen confidence by observing others&#39; success, c) social persuasion, such as encouragement from mentors or peers, and d) physiological and emotional states, which influence how individuals interpret their emotions in challenging situations. Conducted at a large R1 public institution in the southeastern U.S., this study examined women enrolled in an equity-centered introductory embedded systems course. Using transcendental phenomenology and identity mapping techniques, it explored their experiences through in-depth interviews conducted at two critical points: the end of their first semester, when they had recently completed the course, and again three months later. This longitudinal approach allowed for a deeper exploration of how their self-efficacy evolved over time, revealing key insights into the factors that influenced their persistence in CE. 

The course was designed as a project-based learning experience, empowering students to build self-efficacy by engaging in hands-on work with embedded systems to solve real-world challenges. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship between various factors that both supported and challenged the women’s confidence. Overcoming technical challenges and excelling in their projects provided essential mastery experiences that built resilience. However, while observing women role models offered vicarious learning benefits, societal biases frequently undermined this positive impact. Social persuasion, particularly from supportive mentors and peers, was crucial in fostering a belief in their capabilities, though interactions with men peers sometimes eroded this confidence. Physiological and emotional states, including stress and anxiety, added another layer of difficulty, yet moments of recognition emerged as the women began to see their unique contributions within a men-dominated space. This study underscores the urgent need for more inclusive environments and strategies that nurture women&#39;s self-efficacy, emphasizing the importance of systems that counteract negative influences. These insights are key to empowering women in CE to persist, innovate, and lead in a field that needs their contributions.

AU  - Andrea Ramirez-Salgado
AU  - Pavlo Antonenko
AU  - Swarup Bhunia
AU  - Christine Wusylko
AU  - Woorin Hwang
AU  - Yessy Eka Ambarwati
CY  - Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
DA  - 2025/06/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Voices of Hope: A Phenomenological Study on Women’s Self-Efficacy in Computer Engineering
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/57335
ER  -