معرفی
Christy Starr is an Assistant Professor in the Human Development Area at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Education. Her research focuses on STEM equity, particularly examining how stereotypes and family support influence adolescents’ and young adults’ career and educational decisions. She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and completed postdoctoral work at UC Irvine funded by the National Science Foundation. Her work explores barriers like gender and racial stereotypes while emphasizing strengths such as familial encouragement to promote equitable STEM participation.
Starr’s research spans multiple domains including:
- STEM career and course enrollment decisions
- Gender and racial disparities in STEM fields
- Parental and societal influences on STEM motivation
- Intersectionality in educational and career trajectories
Her recent work highlights how stereotypes about who ‘belongs’ in STEM (e.g., ‘nerd-genius’ archetypes) disproportionately affect Black and Latina women’s motivation and persistence. She also investigates historical trends in math gender stereotypes and their relation to student outcomes. Starr’s interdisciplinary approach integrates developmental psychology, educational research, and sociocultural theories to address systemic inequities.
Starr’s academic background reflects her commitment to equity: she is first-generation college graduate from a low-income, rural family. Her outreach efforts include promoting STEM summer programs for high school students and collaborating with educators to create inclusive learning environments.
