Race, religion and STEM

The challenge

The challenge

In order to better understand factors that impede Black student representation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), expanded research is needed in the area of the intersection of race and religion. Of note, about 82% of Black individuals reportedly have a religious affiliation, according to the Pew Research Center. However, there is a gap in studies that explore how religious-related factors may discourage or support Black student participation in STEM. Further, according to the researchers, no study has foregrounded religious identity or experiences when examining the experiences of Black students who stay in science versus those who don’t. 

The approach

The approach 

"Race, Religion and STEM: Examining the Intersections for Black Students” will result in the first comprehensive study of the attitudes and experiences of Black undergraduates and graduate students regarding science and religion, and how these dynamics support, influence and/or hinder engagement in STEM. The project brings together a team of researchers that includes Keon M. McGuire, associate professor at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

McGuire serves as co-principal investigator. Principal investigator for the project is Julie J. Park, associate professor at University of Maryland, College Park, along with co-principal investigators Robert T. Palmer, associate professor at Howard University and Elizabeth Barnes, assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University.

McGuire has published key studies on the complex dynamics of religiosity and spirituality among Black students in higher education, probing the continued influence of religion and religious upbringing even among Black individuals who no longer actively participate in religious communities. He also brings significant expertise in advanced qualitative methods and Africana studies. The project will involve conducting three qualitative interview studies to expand research and findings in the following areas:

• Whether and how religion affects Black undergraduate STEM majors’ experiences with STEM
• The experiences and attitudes of Black students who are not majoring in STEM, in order  to determine if their perspectives or experiences about their religion may have discouraged Black students from pursuing or completing STEM degrees
• How Black individuals negotiate perspectives on religion and science as they progress through advanced (graduate school) training

The research aims to provide a more complex and textured portrait of factors that facilitate and challenge participation in STEM for Black students. “This study offers an important opportunity to learn from Black students of diverse spiritual and religious beliefs attending historically White institutions as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” says McGuire. The researchers will also seek to directly contribute to broadening participation by supporting the training, professional development, and funding of racially minoritized student researchers in biology and STEM higher education research through this project.

 Total award is $550,000 (ASU portion is $38,997)