Exploring gendered experiences: A phenomenological study of women working in STEM

Abstract

Psychological research has shown that globally STEM (science, technology, engineering mathematics) disciplines have historically and traditionally been considered male dominated environments, with a significant under-representation of women in both educational and professional positions. This phenomenological study sought to explore the lived experiences of women in the UK who chose to enter these industries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three female participants currently employed within a professional STEM position, with the intention of qualifying and conceptualising their experiences in the industry. Thematic analysis uncovered three themes that underpinned this socio-cultural phenomenon; female underrepresentation, age-based attitudinal differences and sexist tendencies. The study indicated that attending to the identified themes may positively enhance women’s experiences of STEM, whilst encouraging them into the industry. Overall, the main objective was to understand how women experience STEM workplaces.