Which Science PhD Students are Participating in Professional Development?

Research in Brief

Underrepresented Minority (URM) and women science doctoral students participate in greater numbers in academic professional development programs, according to a new research brief from CGS.

Using data from CGS’s PhD Career Pathways project, the brief highlights how science doctoral students participate in professional development programs and how that participation differs depending by race and gender.

The brief also shows that science doctoral students largely participate in professional development programs that are sponsored by their PhD program, versus ones provided by their institution.

Given that minority graduate students and women remain underrepresented in science graduate education and in the STEM workforce, uncovering differences in participation can help us understand the potential impacts of these professional development investments as well as opportunities for making academic professional development more inclusive.