Misconceiving Merit: Paradoxes of Excellence and Devotion in Academic Science and Engineering

Misconceiving Merit is a groundbreaking study that uncovers the cultural foundations of unequal outcomes in academic science, engineering, and math.

By examining more than 500 STEM professors at a top research university, the authors reveal how dominant cultural beliefs perpetuate mistreatment and hinder innovation.

Despite commitments to objectivity and excellence, underrepresented groups are often seen as less meritorious compared to equally productive white and Asian heterosexual men.

This misjudgment has serious consequences for individuals and the scientific community as a whole.

Misconceiving Merit is essential reading for higher education administrators, scientists, and engineers seeking to address entrenched patterns of inequality in STEM fields.

With rigorous data and accessible writing, this book provides insights into the complex phenomena that shape academic science and offers practical solutions for creating a more equitable and innovative scientific community.