'Biology Is Easy, Physics Is Hard': Student Perceptions of the Ideal and the Typical Student across STEM Higher Education

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  • Author(s): Wong, Billy (ORCID Wong, Billy (ORCID 0000-0002-7310-6418); Chiu, Yuan-Li Tiffany (ORCID Chiu, Yuan-Li Tiffany (ORCID 0000-0002-1520-5637); Murray, Órla Meadhbh (ORCID Murray, Órla Meadhbh (ORCID 0000-0002-1916-7498); Horsburgh, Jo (ORCID Horsburgh, Jo (ORCID 0000-0002-2099-6808); Copsey-Blake, Meggie
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    International Studies in Sociology of Education. 2023 32(1):118-139.
  • Publication Date:
    2023
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      22
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Student Attitudes; STEM Education; Foreign Countries; Comparative Analysis; Self Concept; Undergraduate Students; Expectation; Intellectual Disciplines; Student Characteristics
    • Subject Terms:
      United Kingdom
    • Accession Number:
      10.1080/09620214.2022.2122532
    • ISSN:
      0962-0214
      1747-5066
    • Abstract:
      This paper draws upon in-depth interviews with 89 students from two UK universities to explore how students from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degrees describe the ideal as well as the typical student in their respective disciplines. We provide a comparative insight into the similarities and differences between disciplinary identities based on student perceptions. More specifically, we consider how undergraduates from biology, engineering, mathematics and physics construct the ideal and the typical student in their degree, highlighting the popular discourses and desirable traits that appear to characterise students in these disciplines. In addition to a masculinised construction of students in engineering, mathematics and physics, we found a social hierarchy within STEM degrees where biology was perceived as the easier STEM subject. We conclude with a discussion of the impact of such hierarchies on student identities in STEM, and potential implications for equality, diversity and inclusion.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2023
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1383448