WOMEN'S PERSISTENCE INTO GRADUATE ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS: THE ROLES OF SUPPORT, INTEREST, AND CAPITAL

摘要

This study uses data from qualitative interviews with successful female graduate students in astronomy in order to explore female student success in undergraduate physics departments. The aspects include the role of faculty support through an undergraduate's education, the provision of engaging introductory courses, the importance of community among students, and more. However, the results also suggest that there are other factors that influence the success of the students, such as a love of the field of study and available resources in terms of different types of capital. The authors argue that in order to increase the numbers of female students in the fields of astronomy and physics these considerations also need to be addressed.