2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Disentangling the Intersectional Identities of Disabled Women in Engineering Programs through Narrative Inquiry (WIP)

Presented at Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM) Technical Session 10

This Work-in-Progress (WIP) Research paper explores intersectionality among disabled women in engineering higher education. Our work seeks to understand the complexities of navigating the interlocking systems of sexism and ableism within engineering higher education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four disabled women engineering students from a single institution. The purpose of these interviews was to gain a deeper understanding of the disabled women’s unique experiences navigating their engineering degree program. Interview data were analyzed using narrative inquiry through thematic analysis. Preliminary results showcase the interdependence and compounding nature of sexism and ableism as they operate within engineering education. In this paper, we expand upon the impact of holding multiple marginalized identities, including disability, as described by these students and its effects on their lived experiences within engineering education.

Authors

Ms. Rachel Figard http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1524-5778 Arizona State University [biography]

Rachel Figard is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering Education and Systems Design at Arizona State University. She received her M.S. in User Experience from Arizona State University and B.S. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Jennifer M. Bekki Arizona State University [biography]

Jennifer M. Bekki is an Associate Professor in The Polytechnic School and the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence within The Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Her research aims to understand and address inequities arising from racism and sexism within STEM graduate education.
Dr. Samantha Ruth Brunhaver http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8607-5959 Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus [biography]

Samantha Brunhaver is an Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Fulton Schools of Engineering Polytechnic School. Dr. Brunhaver recently joined Arizona State after completing her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. She also

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