WISE: A Support Group for Graduate and Post-Graduate Women in STEM

ABSTRACT

Women remain underrepresented in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) support groups were developed in 2001 as an intervention to foster community in graduate and postgraduate women in STEM at a large academic research institution. Since the WISE program’s inception, over 1,500 women have participated. From 2011 to 2018, anonymous, voluntary surveys were distributed at the end of every academic year to WISE group members. Surveys consisted of quantitative and qualitative data regarding participants’ perceptions of and experiences in the WISE groups. From 2011 to 2018, 76.4% of survey respondents (n = 416) reported that WISE groups were an excellent experience overall. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data demonstrated four major benefits of WISE group participation: creation of community, having a safe space, emotional support, and peer mentorship. Suggestions for improvement included increasing access to groups. The WISE group program was a well-liked intervention that may support graduate and postgraduate women in STEM. Study limitations, as well as implications for future research, practice, and advocacy are noted.

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the help of Susan Owicki with the surveys for this project.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Facilitators are funded by the Office of Graduate Education and the Office of the Provost at Stanford University. No funds were used for this research.

Notes on contributors

Jessica A. Gold

Jessica A. Gold is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Lena Jia is an M.D./M.P.H.S. Candidate at Washington University in St. Louis. Jessica P. Bentzley is a fourth-year Psychiatry Resident at Stanford University. Kacy A. Bonnet is a Staff Psychiatrist at UC Santa Cruz Student Health Services. Amanda M. Franciscus is a Psychiatrist at the VA in Palo Alto and a Clinical Instructor, Affiliated, with Stanford University. Meenakshi Denduluri is a fourth year Psychiatry Resident at Stanford University. Laraine T. Zappert is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Director of Stanford University's Sexual Harassment Policy Office.