This study proposes to examine the contextual factors that affect women's decisions to pursue scientific careers. Specifically, the PI will conduct in-depth interviews with faculty and students in four science and engineering departments in a high ranking research university. By looking at the sex role expectations of faculty members and teaching assistants, the PI will highlight some of the ways women students are either encouraged to or discouraged from pursuing further work in particular fields. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that a negative effect may be especially pronounced when the faculty or teaching assistants are foreign nationals who may harbour traditional sex role expectations. However, there is virtually no research investigating the influence, if any, of foreign nationals on the aspirations of female students. This study is important because it focuses on subtle cultural factors which may affect the recruitment of women to pursue scientific careers in the United States.
