Evaluating perceptions of STEM majors to explain diversity gaps in entomology and other sciences.

ABSTRACT: Communities working in entomology, ecology, and other natural sciences are known for having shortfalls in racial and gender diversity. We aim to uncover drivers of this diversity gap. To achieve this, we distributed a survey to undergraduate students at large academic institutions in North America. The survey was designed to profile the perspectives people had about entomology, ecology, and agricultural science compared to other disciplines, and to see if these perspectives differed among demographics (race, gender, and sexual orientation). In addition to soliciting information about general perception relevant to recruitment and retention (approachability, hospitality/how welcoming a field is, fear, importance, interest, job availability), we also asked targeted questions about race-relat

SUBMITTER: Evangelista DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815887 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature