3 answers
Arianna
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
1
Question
Updated
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What discrimination have you dealt with well in the stem field?
Have you ever had to deal with discrimination because of your race or gender?
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3 answers
Mary Ann Higgs
Communications, Training, and People Development
31
Answers
Hayward, California
Updated
Mary Ann’s Answer
Interesting question. I don't know that this would count as being discrimination, but I have definitely felt excluded. I am female and present as white/caucasian even though my background categorizes me as hispanic. I was working for a tech company and the VP of our group was a woman who was raised in India. As opportunities for promotion were made available, all of the women in this VPs group noticed that only men were promoted. As we looked more closely at what was happening, we noticed that usually they were men who grew up in India but now resided in the U.S. We raised the question about why women weren't being promoted in this group and what women needed to do differently, but never got an answer. In the end, most women looked for jobs in another part of the company or left the company completely.
Thank you!
Arianna
Sarah Neenan
Managing Software Engineer
1
Answer
Southampton
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
I've had to deal with unwanted comments on a few occasions. Once because I was a woman and once because I'm neuro diverse and wear coloured lenses. Both times I felt really awful about the comments but my team and managers all supported me and had talks with the offenders, offered to change my environment, or remove the offender from it, ask what they could do to help and prevent it in future. So it happens, but it happens in all careers. But at least there were loads of people to support me and make me feel like I still belonged there.
Thank you so much!
Arianna
ALEJANDRA SCALONE
Arquitecta de Solucion
30
Answers
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Updated
ALEJANDRA’s Answer
Sooooo gooood question Arianna
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or identity. However, I can discuss common types of discrimination that individuals may face in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field based on reported experiences and research.
Discrimination in the STEM field can manifest in various forms, including:
Gender Discrimination: Women may face barriers and biases in STEM fields, including unequal opportunities for advancement, lower pay compared to male counterparts, and stereotypes about their abilities.
Racial Discrimination: People of color may encounter racism and bias in STEM workplaces, including disparities in hiring, promotion, and access to resources. They may also face microaggressions and stereotypes based on racial identity.
Implicit Bias: Individuals may experience implicit bias, which involves unconscious stereotypes or prejudices that influence decision-making and behavior. This can affect hiring, performance evaluations, and interactions in the workplace.
Stereotype Threat: Stereotype threat occurs when individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their group and experience anxiety or underperformance as a result. This can impact confidence, motivation, and success in STEM fields.
Microaggressions: Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that communicate derogatory messages or assumptions about someone's identity. These can include comments related to race, gender, ethnicity, or other aspects of identity.
Lack of Representation: The underrepresentation of certain groups, such as women and people of color, in STEM fields can contribute to feelings of isolation, imposter syndrome, and limited opportunities for mentorship and networking.
Addressing discrimination in the STEM field requires a collective effort from individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Strategies for promoting inclusivity and combating discrimination include:
Implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives in STEM workplaces.
Providing training on unconscious bias and cultural competence.
Supporting mentorship and sponsorship programs for underrepresented groups.
Promoting diverse representation in leadership positions and decision-making roles.
Creating safe spaces for open dialogue and addressing issues of discrimination and bias.
Advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and fairness in hiring, promotion, and compensation.
Encouraging allyship and solidarity among individuals from different backgrounds.
Fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and belonging in STEM communities.
By actively working to address discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion, we can create more equitable and welcoming environments for everyone in the STEM field.
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or identity. However, I can discuss common types of discrimination that individuals may face in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field based on reported experiences and research.
Discrimination in the STEM field can manifest in various forms, including:
Gender Discrimination: Women may face barriers and biases in STEM fields, including unequal opportunities for advancement, lower pay compared to male counterparts, and stereotypes about their abilities.
Racial Discrimination: People of color may encounter racism and bias in STEM workplaces, including disparities in hiring, promotion, and access to resources. They may also face microaggressions and stereotypes based on racial identity.
Implicit Bias: Individuals may experience implicit bias, which involves unconscious stereotypes or prejudices that influence decision-making and behavior. This can affect hiring, performance evaluations, and interactions in the workplace.
Stereotype Threat: Stereotype threat occurs when individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their group and experience anxiety or underperformance as a result. This can impact confidence, motivation, and success in STEM fields.
Microaggressions: Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that communicate derogatory messages or assumptions about someone's identity. These can include comments related to race, gender, ethnicity, or other aspects of identity.
Lack of Representation: The underrepresentation of certain groups, such as women and people of color, in STEM fields can contribute to feelings of isolation, imposter syndrome, and limited opportunities for mentorship and networking.
Addressing discrimination in the STEM field requires a collective effort from individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Strategies for promoting inclusivity and combating discrimination include:
Implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives in STEM workplaces.
Providing training on unconscious bias and cultural competence.
Supporting mentorship and sponsorship programs for underrepresented groups.
Promoting diverse representation in leadership positions and decision-making roles.
Creating safe spaces for open dialogue and addressing issues of discrimination and bias.
Advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and fairness in hiring, promotion, and compensation.
Encouraging allyship and solidarity among individuals from different backgrounds.
Fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and belonging in STEM communities.
By actively working to address discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion, we can create more equitable and welcoming environments for everyone in the STEM field.
ALEJANDRA, thank you!
Arianna