The Marginalized Experience--Investigating Experiences of Undergraduate STEM Researchers

Students of marginalized backgrounds continue to be underrepresented in STEM backgrounds, seen prevalently at the undergraduate research level. This case study investigates the experience of marginalized UCSB undergraduates participating in UCSB’s 12 R1 STEM-oriented research programs, and non-program participants enrolled in 99/199 research units. It incorporates program director and department chair interviews, and previous literature reviews and case studies. Participant survey data collection will be intended to reinforce the growing data on the need to continue funding and supporting research programs (i.e., UCSB's Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships and Chicano Studies Institute) that contribute to the steady increase of marginalized undergraduate researchers. This study will explore the socio-cultural dynamics of participating marginalized STEM students and confirm whether the MSI designation or current mentor methodologies are effective for these UCSB programs.