BRIGE: Understanding Engineering Students through the Lens of Identity Theory - Implications for Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students

该项目通过增加工程学毕业生的数量，改善女性和少数族裔在工程学领域的代表性，以及了解如何更好地招收和留住工程学学生，解决了维持全球竞争力的广泛和普遍的问题。运用身份认同理论为我们的学生提供了一个独特的视角和一个非常需要的理解。本研究的目的是通过收集定量和定性的数据，采用混合方法，更好地理解学生的多重身份以及塑造这些身份的因素。这项研究包括詹姆斯·麦迪逊大学的大一和大四的STEM学生，以及另外四个拥有工程专业的机构的大一和大四的学生，他们通过进行访谈和个人认同感测试。我们正在寻找重大突破，以促进我们对学生的基本理解？多重身份作为一种手段，也可以了解是什么活动、经历、环境和环境塑造了他们的身份(特别是他们作为工程师的身份)。除了有助于我们对学生的基本理解的调查结果外，最终交付的成果将是一份调查工具、工程师身份调查(EIS)、面试协议和问卷，可供各级工程项目使用。该协会处于有利地位，有相关工作的基础和强烈的早期职业动机来从事这项研究，出版和传播研究和发现。这笔Brige补助金将提供一个强大的研究基础，让国际工程学协会可以在此基础上寻求更多的工程教育研究资金。

This BRIGE project addresses the widespread and pervasive problems of maintaining global competitiveness by increasing the number of engineering graduates, improving the representation of women and minorities in engineering, and understanding how to improve recruitment and retention of engineering students. Employing identity theory provides a unique perspective and a much needed understanding of our students. The goal of this research is to employ a mixed methods approach by collecting quantitative andqualitative data to better understand the multiple identities of our students and the factors that shape these identities. The study includes freshman and senior STEM students at James Madison University as well as freshmen and senior students at four additional institutions with engineering programs by conducting interviews questionnaires and personal identity instruments. We are looking for significant breakthroughs to contribute to our basic understanding of our students? multiple identities as a means of also understanding what activities, experiences, circumstances, and settings shape their identities (particularly their identity as engineers). Apart from the findings that will contribute to our basic understanding of students, the ultimate deliverable will be a survey instrument, Engineer Identity Survey (EIS), interview protocol and questionnaires that could be used by engineering programs at various levels. The PI is well-positioned with a foundation of related work and strong early career motivation to pursue this research, publish and disseminate the research and findings. This BRIGE grant would provide a strong research foundation upon which the PI can pursue more engineering education research funding.