ERIC Number: EJ1466718
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9862
EISSN: EISSN-1934-9041
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Mapping the Trajectories of Women in Astronomy: Influences and Milestones in Talent Development
Gifted Child Quarterly, v69 n2 p109-129 2025
Astronomy is critical for human development, driving technology and innovation, and creating knowledge that allows humanity to understand the universe more fully. Women, however, remain underrepresented in this field. Many women leave the field before becoming established, yet little is known about women who persist and succeed. The purpose of this study was to explore the abilities, experiences, milestones, and individuals that have contributed to women's talent development along their trajectories in astronomy, in the specific case of Chile. In-depth interviews were conducted with five talented women in astronomy, who have developed their academic and professional careers in Chile. The results show that micro, meso, and macro levels of influence, in conjunction with different time periods, were critical for the participants' trajectories and have impacted the direction of women's paths. The astronomers highlight early experiences, mentor support, validation, and gendered experiences as they navigate their own insecurities and develop self-confidence. Implications for the study of talent development in female astronomers are discussed.
Descriptors: Females, Astronomy, Scientists, Talent Development, Foreign Countries, Career Pathways, Mentors, Gender Issues, Self Esteem, STEM Education
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Chile
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile; 2Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile; 3Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile; 4University College London Institute of the Americas, UK; 5Universidad de Granada, Spain; 6Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France