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Faculty Experiences of the Impostor Phenomenon in STEM Fields
1Ravi J. Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015, India.
Faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields experience impostor phenomenon due to peer comparison, evaluations, and fear of not knowing. Addressing these self-limiting beliefs is crucial across the academic pipeline.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Impostor phenomenon (IP) affects successful individuals who doubt their achievements.
- Prior research on IP predominantly focused on students, leaving faculty experiences in STEM understudied.
- Understanding IP in STEM faculty is vital for addressing potential impacts on academic careers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate academic events and activities contributing to impostor phenomenon (IP) among STEM faculty.
- To explore the lived experiences of STEM faculty who self-identify with IP.
- To identify commonalities in IP experiences across different academic career stages.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of 56 interviews with U.S.-based STEM faculty.
- Thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes related to IP.
- Comparison of faculty findings with existing data from PhD students and postdoctorates.
Main Results:
- Impostor phenomenon in STEM faculty is linked to peer comparison, faculty evaluations, and public recognition.
- Fear of not knowing and perceived lack of competency are significant contributors to IP.
- Commonalities exist in IP experiences among STEM faculty, PhD students, and postdoctorates.
Conclusions:
- Academic events and internal beliefs significantly influence impostor phenomenon in STEM faculty.
- Addressing self-limiting beliefs through professional development is necessary for faculty at all career stages.
- Further research should explore interventions to mitigate IP in academic settings.
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