Science People: Promoting Science Identity Development in Undergraduate Students

Science identity, or the ability to see one’s self as a scientist or “science person,” is a key indicator of academic trajectory and student success in STEM fields. The association between science identity and performance is especially pronounced for students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds (Chen et al, 2021). STEM librarians have the opportunity to promote scientific thinking and boost student confidence but facilitating identity development can be challenging when librarians may experience science anxiety or imposter syndrome themselves. This presentation will explore current research on science identity development in undergraduate students and provide strategies that STEM librarians can use to foster students’ sense of belonging in scientific fields.

References: Chen, S., Binning, K. R., Manke, K. J., Brady, S. T., McGreevy, E. M., Betancur, L., Limeri, L. B., & Kaufmann, N. (2021). Am I a science person? A strong science identity bolsters minority students’ sense of belonging and performance in college. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 47(4), 593–606. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220936480