Being a Token Black Female Faculty Member in Physics: Exploring Research on Gendered Racism, Identity Shifting as a Coping Strategy, and Inclusivity in Physics

Abstract

Although the United States is becoming racially diverse, the representation of marginalized groups in physics still remains low. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been successful in graduating Black physicists, such that HBCUs are nine of the top 10 physics departments in the United States that produce bachelor degrees. Despite these outcomes, Black women are disproportionately underrepresented in physics. In 2016, only 4% and 3% of Black women earned bachelor’s degrees and doctorate degrees in physics, respectively. Among faculty, Black women made up only 2% in physics doctorate programs and 3% in bachelor’s-only physics departments in 2016. Though the percentage of Latinas in physics has increased, the percentage of Black women in physics has not grown. Therefore, Black female physics faculty are often tokenized and experience gendered racism (intersection of racism and sexism). In this paper, we used an intersectional approach to examine the psychological discourse on Black female physics faculty’s experiences of gendered racism, identity shifting as a coping strategy, and we provide recommendations for creating an inclusive physics environment.