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Embedded Gatekeeping, Comparativeness, and Hidden Curriculum Create Feelings of Impostorism for Biology Doctoral Students

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Title: Embedded Gatekeeping, Comparativeness, and Hidden Curriculum Create Feelings of Impostorism for Biology Doctoral Students
Language: English
Authors: Ariel Steele, Grace-Divine Boutouli, Lydia Swanson, Joshua W. Reid, A. Kelly Lane
Source: CBE - Life Sciences Education. 2026 25(1).
Availability: American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; e-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: https://www.lifescied.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Doctoral Students, Biology, Self Concept, Deception, Hidden Curriculum, Student Experience, Mental Health, Context Effect, Competition, Fear of Success, Expectation
DOI: 10.1187/cbe.24-11-0264
ISSN: 1931-7913
Abstract: Impostor phenomenon is a pervasive experience amongst doctoral students with negative consequences on mental health and persistence in graduate school. While the psychological consequences of impostor phenomenon are well known, there are open questions about how structures in graduate education (e.g., policies and practices) inform doctoral students' experience with impostor phenomenon. In this study, we interviewed 20 biology doctoral students at two R1 institutions about their experiences with impostor phenomenon during graduate school. We used an abductive qualitative content analysis approach to identify the structures that contributed to their impostor feelings and understand how these structures may lead to impostorism. In our analysis of the interviews, we applied the framework of institutionalism to identify structures and associated themes that informed the participants' experiences with impostor phenomenon. The themes associated with the structures of graduate education that contributed to participants to feel like impostors included: 1) structures that act as high-stakes gatekeeping mechanisms; 2) structures that rely on knowledge of the hidden curriculum; and 3) structures that facilitate comparative social situations. The results of our study suggest that structures and the underlying characteristics are important when considering graduate students' experiences with impostor phenomenon.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499574
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Embedded Gatekeeping, Comparativeness, and Hidden Curriculum Create Feelings of Impostorism for Biology Doctoral Students
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  Data: American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; e-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: https://www.lifescied.org/
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  Data: Impostor phenomenon is a pervasive experience amongst doctoral students with negative consequences on mental health and persistence in graduate school. While the psychological consequences of impostor phenomenon are well known, there are open questions about how structures in graduate education (e.g., policies and practices) inform doctoral students' experience with impostor phenomenon. In this study, we interviewed 20 biology doctoral students at two R1 institutions about their experiences with impostor phenomenon during graduate school. We used an abductive qualitative content analysis approach to identify the structures that contributed to their impostor feelings and understand how these structures may lead to impostorism. In our analysis of the interviews, we applied the framework of institutionalism to identify structures and associated themes that informed the participants' experiences with impostor phenomenon. The themes associated with the structures of graduate education that contributed to participants to feel like impostors included: 1) structures that act as high-stakes gatekeeping mechanisms; 2) structures that rely on knowledge of the hidden curriculum; and 3) structures that facilitate comparative social situations. The results of our study suggest that structures and the underlying characteristics are important when considering graduate students' experiences with impostor phenomenon.
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      – SubjectFull: Self Concept
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