For members of underrepresented groups in the US, advancing in the tech sector is often difficult.
5 Ways Technology Is Racist and How We Can Fix It
A new paper finds structural racism in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academic programs. The problems with education often create barriers to hiring minorities in STEM fields. Experts say the report's findings echo their own experiences.
“I have persevered through undergraduate and graduate programs, with professors and peers dismissing my presence and contributions,” Ivory Willams, the vice president of STEM Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, told Lifewire in an email interview. “I have been subjected to extra scrutiny and criticism professionally. I have been overlooked for opportunities and paid less than my peers.”
The study found dramatic differences in the outcomes of students of different ethnicities. Using a dataset of 110,000 students from six research universities, the study found that white males are more likely than other groups to earn STEM-related degrees, even if they have a poorer academic record.
