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

bridge项目通过增加工程专业毕业生的数量，提高女性和少数族裔在工程领域的代表性，以及了解如何改善工程专业学生的招聘和保留，解决了保持全球竞争力的广泛和普遍的问题。运用同一性理论为我们的学生提供了一个独特的视角和非常需要的理解。本研究的目的是通过收集定量和定性数据，采用混合方法来更好地了解我们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，以及另外四所工程专业院校的大一和大四学生，通过访谈、问卷调查和个人身份识别工具进行了研究。我们正在寻找重大突破，以有助于我们对学生的基本了解。多重身份作为一种手段，也可以理解什么样的活动、经历、环境和设置塑造了他们的身份（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了解的研究结果外，最终的成果将是一个调查工具，工程师身份调查（EIS），访谈协议和问卷，可用于各级工程项目。PI具有良好的定位，具有相关工作基础和强烈的早期职业动机，可以从事这项研究，发表和传播研究和发现。这项bridge拨款将为PI提供坚实的研究基础，使其能够争取更多的工程教育研究经费。

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.