Speaker: Dr. Katy Hosbein, Middle Tennessee State University
Title: “Explorations into science identity development within first-generation undergraduate students in General Chemistry and Biology”

Abstract:  Science identity, as defined by James Paul Gee, is “being recognized as a certain ‘kind of person’ in a given context.” There is evidence to support that science and discipline-specific identities impact students’ persistence in STEM and is especially impactful to the persistence of students with marginalized identities. While there are descriptions of science identity within the literature, the theoretical framework remains convoluted. Results from two projects will be presented. The first expanded on an existing physics identity framework to operationalize the framework to science and chemistry and to situate it within existing psychological constructs. The psychological constructs and updated science and chemistry identity framework will be discussed. The second project explores how first-generation students within a General Chemistry or Biology course define and describe science identity. Preliminary results will be discussed. Outcomes from this project will help to inform how to create learning environments that support meaningful science identity development.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Departmental Seminar Series covers a broad range of fields in the Chemical and Biochemical Sciences. In past seminars, scientists from Academia, Government, and Industry have presented their most recent discoveries and contributions in their respective areas. This Seminar Series offers students and faculty the opportunity to interact directly with other leaders in their specializations and to gain a good overview of the entire range of fields in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

This seminar will take place in person.