Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability and Equity (ICSE-2021)

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Psychological, Sociocultural, and Biological Elucidations for Gender Gap in STEM Education: A Call for Translation of Research into Evidence-Based Interventions

Authors
Ashraf Alam1, *
1Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
*Corresponding author. Email: ashraf_alam@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in
Corresponding Author
Ashraf Alam
Available Online 18 January 2022.
DOI
10.2991/ahsseh.k.220105.012How to use a DOI?
Keywords
STEM education; Learning; Relative cognitive strength; Teaching; Career preference; Lifestyle value; Motivation; Gender gap; Pedagogy; Curriculum
Abstract

Despite recent progress in narrowing gender gap in enrolment in math courses and relative achievements therein, girls and women still remain underrepresented when it comes to formal education in math-intensive academic fields such as engineering, mathematics, technology, and science, often referred to as STEM. Capacity to undertake a job and also the drive to put scientific and mathematical aptitude to use are both included in career paths. Individual variations in cognitive capability and motivation are impacted by a variety of sociocultural variables. The authors have presented six explanations for girl’s inadequate representation in math-intensive STEM professions after analysing academic researches carried out in last three decades in domains of education, economics, sociology, and psychology: (a) preconceptions and biases based on gender, (b) field-specific ability beliefs, (c) lifestyle values or work-family balance preferences, (d) professional inclinations or desires, (e) comparative cerebral capabilities, and (f) cognitive aptitude. The study goes on to discuss sociocultural and biological causes for reported gender differences in motivational and cognitive factors, as well as the evolutionary period(s) during which each variable became most important. Authors concludes with evidence and scientific-proof based research, policy and practise suggestions for improving STEM inclusivity, and gives recommendations and directions for forthcoming researches.

Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability and Equity (ICSE-2021)
Series
Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities
Publication Date
18 January 2022
ISBN
10.2991/ahsseh.k.220105.012
ISSN
2667-128X
DOI
10.2991/ahsseh.k.220105.012How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Ashraf Alam
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/01/18
TI  - Psychological, Sociocultural, and Biological Elucidations for Gender Gap in STEM Education: A Call for Translation of Research into Evidence-Based Interventions
BT  - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability and Equity (ICSE-2021)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 95
EP  - 107
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/ahsseh.k.220105.012
DO  - 10.2991/ahsseh.k.220105.012
ID  - Alam2022
ER  -