Resistance or Existence as Protest: Humanizing Black Men in STEM Education
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| Title: | Resistance or Existence as Protest: Humanizing Black Men in STEM Education |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Takeshia Pierre (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 2026 63(4-5):372-392. |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 21 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | African Americans, Males, Disproportionate Representation, STEM Careers, Labor Turnover, Job Placement, Persistence, Career Pathways, Expectation, Resistance (Psychology), Majors (Students), Work Environment, Professional Personnel, Humanization |
| DOI: | 10.1002/tea.70044 |
| ISSN: | 0022-4308 1098-2736 |
| Abstract: | Black Men continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields. In recent years, scholars have argued that current issues with retention in STEM majors have less to do with Black students' mastery of STEM topics and are more related to the hostile environments they experience in their effort to obtain STEM degrees. Statistics show that Black Men leave STEM majors in record numbers, which can in part explain their relatively low representation in STEM fields. In this study, we document the experiences of 50 Black Men who held careers in STEM fields, acknowledging and amplifying voices that commonly experience erasure in these settings. Moments when these men exercised resistance to maintain their placement in STEM environments and remained in their respective fields are highlighted. We sought to answer the research question: What experiences shape the career trajectory of Black Men STEM professionals, and how do those experiences and their response to them lead to career persistence? We present 3 major findings: (1) Existence as Protest: Black Males Occupying STEM Spaces, (2) Acknowledging Hurdles, Surpassing Low Expectations, and (3) Making Broader Impacts. Future implications for research and suggestions for the broader STEM education community are discussed. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504283 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Black Men continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields. In recent years, scholars have argued that current issues with retention in STEM majors have less to do with Black students' mastery of STEM topics and are more related to the hostile environments they experience in their effort to obtain STEM degrees. Statistics show that Black Men leave STEM majors in record numbers, which can in part explain their relatively low representation in STEM fields. In this study, we document the experiences of 50 Black Men who held careers in STEM fields, acknowledging and amplifying voices that commonly experience erasure in these settings. Moments when these men exercised resistance to maintain their placement in STEM environments and remained in their respective fields are highlighted. We sought to answer the research question: What experiences shape the career trajectory of Black Men STEM professionals, and how do those experiences and their response to them lead to career persistence? We present 3 major findings: (1) Existence as Protest: Black Males Occupying STEM Spaces, (2) Acknowledging Hurdles, Surpassing Low Expectations, and (3) Making Broader Impacts. Future implications for research and suggestions for the broader STEM education community are discussed. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0022-4308 1098-2736 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/tea.70044 |
