TY - JOUR
T1 - Critical feminist analysis of STEM mentoring programs
T2 - A meta-synthesis of the existing literature
AU - Beck, Makini
AU - Cadwell, Jillian
AU - Kern, Anne
AU - Wu, Ke
AU - Dickerson, Maniphone
AU - Howard, Melinda
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2022/1
Y1 - 2022/1
N2 - We conducted a meta-synthesis review of existing literature on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) mentoring programs for women. Critical feminist theory (CFT) was used to understand how mentoring programs support retention and occupational advancement of women in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. Four primary strands of CFT were explored: gender, oppression/patriarchy, social institutions, and systemic change. Traditional models of mentoring encompass varied approaches, including institutionally enforced programs, formal and informal programs, paired peer grouping, as well as face-to-face and online forums. However, low levels of retention and self-stated lack of professional satisfaction for women in STEM fields continue to plague those professions. This study reviews the literature on mentoring programs that have been implemented to support women in STEM, thus adding to the epistemology of mentoring women in STEM through feminist discourse.
AB - We conducted a meta-synthesis review of existing literature on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) mentoring programs for women. Critical feminist theory (CFT) was used to understand how mentoring programs support retention and occupational advancement of women in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. Four primary strands of CFT were explored: gender, oppression/patriarchy, social institutions, and systemic change. Traditional models of mentoring encompass varied approaches, including institutionally enforced programs, formal and informal programs, paired peer grouping, as well as face-to-face and online forums. However, low levels of retention and self-stated lack of professional satisfaction for women in STEM fields continue to plague those professions. This study reviews the literature on mentoring programs that have been implemented to support women in STEM, thus adding to the epistemology of mentoring women in STEM through feminist discourse.
KW - STEM
KW - feminist
KW - mentoring
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85112674289&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/gwao.12729
DO - 10.1111/gwao.12729
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85112674289
SN - 0968-6673
VL - 29
SP - 167
EP - 187
JO - Gender, Work and Organization
JF - Gender, Work and Organization
IS - 1
ER -