Current Research
Understanding and Reducing the Gender Gap in Math and Science
This research ultimately seeks to understand and ameliorate the gender gap that exists in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Some of this research examines the role of identity threat and belonging. For women in math and science, identity threat takes the form of a fear that they could be judged in light of negative stereotypes about their gender group. This identity threat, coupled with other factors such as the low representation of women in STEM, can then lead to a low sense of belonging. We are examining how such identity or stereotype threat impairs performance and learning in math and science among female undergraduate students. We are also assessing other factors that impact belonging, and how low sense of belonging compromises performance and persistence. A large component of this work is the development and testing of theory-based interventions to increase women’s representation and performance in STEM.
Allyship
Several projects are investigating effective allyship. This includes work examining how members of advantaged groups engaging in allyship are perceived by members of disadvantaged groups and how members of advantaged groups can be motivated to engage in allyship.
Intersectionality
Our work on STEM disparities and allyship takes an explicitly intersectional perspective by examining how mulitple category meberships such as gender, race, and country of origin affect how people are perceived and behave.
Adolescent Substance Use
This research takes a takes a multi-level perspective to understand adolescent marijuana and alcohol use. Some of this work looks at genetic, neural, and social factors that relate to behavior regulation, and how these factors explain current levels of marijuana use, as well as change in use over time. Other research examines basic motivational and attentional processes related to alcohol consumption.