Empowering Women and Girls in Science by Integrating Humanities Perspectives into STEM Education
Jameer MD, Roshan1, Parween, Shagufta 2 and Kumuja, V Temuzion3
1Assistant Professor, Department of English, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (A) Orcid ID: 0009-0002-3298-0843
2Head & Assistant Professor, Department of English, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (A)
Orcid ID: 0000-0002-5221-4137
3Assistant Professor, Department of English, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (A) Orcid ID: 0009-0009-8687-1504
Abstract
This paper examines the integration of humanities perspectives into STEM education as a means of empowering women and girls and addressing persistent gender inequities. It acknowledges the historical underrepresentation of women in STEM due to stereotypes, biases, and systemic issues. This tackles the historical context of gender inequity concerning STEM, and issues such as the role stereotypes propagate biases about women’s participation and success in these fields. This study advocates for an interdisciplinary pedagogy incorporating feminist principles to create inclusive spaces, questions of relation and power in the classroom. Key empowerment strategies include creating supportive environments, mentorship programs, collaborative learning opportunities, defining open communication channels, technologists locating and mobilizing community voices. This paper highlights challenges such as representation and lack of stereotypes, threat, and climate of the classroom. Case studies and success stories show the impact inclusive pedagogy programs, workshops, service-learning, and mentorship initiatives have on women’s persistence in STEM. It is suggested to take a progressive interdisciplinary learning approach towards global issues and all its equitability and accessibility facets, so that budding innovations enter the STEM culture, innovatively equipping to face the contemporary complex dilemmas.
Keywords: STEM education, women in STEM, gender equity, interdisciplinary pedagogy, feminist pedagogy, empowerment
Impact Statement
This paper advocates integrating humanities into STEM education to empower women by challenging gender stereotypes and systemic biases. Through feminist pedagogy, inclusive practices, and community engagement, it promotes equity and innovation. Case studies illustrate how mentorship, collaboration, and interdisciplinary approaches enhance women’s participation and persistence in STEM fields globally.
About Author
Roshan Jameer MD, is an Assistant Professor associated with Department of English at Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India. With over two decades of pedagogical leadership in English Language Teaching (ELT) at tertiary and postgraduate levels, she has cultivated a distinguished career marked by scholarly rigor and transformative educational practices. Her trajectory has been defined by a steadfast commitment to advancing ELT methodologies in engineering colleges through cutting-edge research, Her research works have been published in national and international journals across the academia. She also acts as reviewer for various journals which displays her unwavering assiduity to fostering collaborative solutions within the English teaching community. Her conferences and patent works speak for her ever learning nature and zeal for knowledge. She equips students to navigate the evolving demands of global communication, to prepare the next generation of engineers with proficient communication.
Dr. Shagufta Parween, Head of the Department of English at Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is a distinguished academician with over 16 years of experience in teaching and research. A Gold Medalist in M.A. English and a Ph.D. holder in English Literature with a specialization in Indian English Novels, she has contributed significantly to academia through her expertise in English Language and Literature, Business Communication, Technical Writing Skills, Soft Skills, and Employability Skills at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research has been featured in reputed international journals, and she remains actively engaged in conferences and professional development programs. Renowned for her dynamic and student-centric teaching methodology, Dr. Parween consistently explores innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement and effectiveness in the classroom. Her unwavering dedication to academic excellence and educational transformation continues to shape the lives of countless students.
V Temuzion Kumuja, Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is a renowned academician with over 12 years of experience in teaching across various states of India. He completed his Masters in English from Hyderabad Central University and qualified TS&APSET in 2015 and TESOL from Arizona State University in 2023. He has contributed significantly to academia through his expertise not only in English Language, Business Communication, Technical Writing Skills, Soft Skills, and Employability Skills but also Indian Constitution & French Language at undergraduate level. His research articles have been published in various international journals, and he remains actively engaged in conferences, patents and professional development programs. Mr. Temuzion consistently explores innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement and effectiveness in the classroom. His persistent dedication to academic progress and educational transformation continues to hone the career of numerous students.
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