AGEP-BPR Interpersonal and intrapersonal mechanisms in improving mentoring relationships for URM students in STEM fields

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The University of California-Berkeley proposes to conduct an AGEP Broadening Participation Research in STEM Education project entitled Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Mechanisms in Improving Mentoring Relationships for Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields. The purpose of the project is to understand how students can develop positive mentor-mentee relationships and the psychological barriers that may undermine positive mentor-mentee relationships. The researchers will examine whether targeting socio-emotional processes at the interpersonal and intrapersonal levels can enhance effective mentoring for underrepresented minority students in STEM. The research focuses both on the lack of interpersonal trust and warmth, that has been shown to characterize intergroup interactions (inter-individual processes), and the egocentric perspective and the heightened sense of threat that often accompany such interactions (intra-individual processes). The project will provide theoretically and empirically informed insights about the nature of the mentoring relationship by contributing to the understanding of how underrepresented students' identification with and success in the university and their majors can be improved. The results could prove to be transformative and significant for all STEM disciplines.