Catalysts of Women’s Talent Development in STEM: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Numbers of women in the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering are growing, yet women are still far outnumbered by men at upper levels of those fields. The purpose of the study is to review the literature on academic women who develop exceptional talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Data sources included 18 scholarly publications selected according to a systematic protocol. Analysis of the studies’ Results and Findings sections yielded four major themes focused on women’s personal and psychological characteristics, social catalysts, institutional catalysts, and cultural production. Themes were synthesized into a four-level socio-ecological model of women’s STEM talent development. Implications for future research are discussed.