Sense of Belonging in Engineering - a Survey of Engineering Students at a Large Comprehensive Ontario University

Abstract

Despite efforts to diversify the student body in engineering, the field continues to be predominantly white and male. Two surveys were developed to investigate factors that impact the sense of belonging of undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Questions were chosen to highlight implicit biases that are present in these populations with a focus on the perceptions of different genders. Other factors included year and program of study. The 10-15 minute survey received 288 undergraduate student responses and 111 graduate student responses with responses reflecting a similar ratio of men to women as the student population. The survey found that there were clear differences between men and women’s experiences as engineering students. Notably, women are more likely to think there are more challenges for women, visible minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community, illustrating that their male peers are less aware of challenges experienced by women and other minority groups.