Elon psychology professor receives SPSSI Grant

India Johnson, assistant professor of psychology, received the grant for her project, “I Got Stigma on My Mind: The Impact of Stigma Consciousness, Role Models and Educational Setting on Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.”

India Johnson, assistant professor of psychology, received a “Grant-in-Aid” grant of $1,999 from The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues for her project, “I Got Stigma on My Mind: The Impact of Stigma Consciousness, Role Models and Educational Setting on Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.”

The project will examine the impact of role models and stigma consciousness for women of color who are STEM majors. Specifically, the work will examine how stigma consciousness – an individual’s sensitivity to anticipating prejudice on the basis of their stigmatized identity – and the identification of role models among women of color in STEM vary at different educational institutions and how that impacts trust and belonging in the sciences.

Ultimately, this research will inform best practices for attracting and retaining women of color in STEM majors and careers.