Dr. Daria Benden (Universität Bonn)

Abstract
Despite targeted international efforts to attract talented women into STEM fields, women remain underrepresented in many math-intensive fields of study and STEM occupations. Drawing on expectancy-value theory, this talk examines the motivational underpinnings of these educational and occupational choices. The first part focuses on gender differences in students’ math- or science-related motivation during the school years and on how these differences relate to choices of advanced courses in high school and fields of study thereafter. The second part turns to university settings, examining how math- and science-related motivation develops after the decision to enroll in math-intensive STEM programs and how preexisting differences, together with students’ experiences in these programs, may help explain why these disparities persist.
12.05.2026, Room: G02-109, Time: 17:00