This talk brings forward results from a 3-year NSF funded research project which examined personal narratives, understandings of gender dynamics, personal and community resiliency, and suggestions for educators from the TGNC engineering student population. The mixed-method approach was guided by three objectives: (1) infuse queer theory and feminist research methodologies into education research practice; (2) record, examine, and share the wide range of perspectives and experiences from TGNC engineering students; and (3) collaborate with the TGNC engineering student community to inform the development of constructive suggestions for educators and departments to support the community. Data collection took place in two stages: an orienting questionnaire distributed to engineering students through their schools, clubs and online communities; and individual interviews over Zoom. TGNC engineering students were involved at each step of the research process from study design to data review.

Nuanced relationships between race, geographical location, disability, personality, and trans identity were embodied in each individual and reflected in their responses, complicating notions of a universal experience. Notable shared themes were that online spaces and political involvement were common, supportive communities most often existed outside of engineering contexts, and that TGNC students perceived navigating their engineering programs differently than cisgender peers. Suggestions for increased support by engineering education centered on social justice and gender education initiatives, classroom practices, culture change efforts, and for continued research involving TGNC students.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Andrea Haverkamp (she/they) recently completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering with a doctoral minor field of Queer Studies at Oregon State University. Her research explores the experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming students in engineering and computer science, such as their sources of community support and collective resiliency in the face of adversity. Dr. Haverkamp serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Engineering, Social Justice, and Peace, an open-source scholarly publication exploring the intersections of engineering and inequity across the globe. Before her Ph.D., Dr. Haverkamp worked as an engineer in the Federal government and served as a science education volunteer with the Peace Corps in Liberia. She is currently a labor organizer supporting healthcare and hospital workers in Seattle.