Too poor to science: How wealth determines who succeeds in STEM

2025/06/23 by Craig R. McClain · 2 voices · 2 citations
Social Sciences · Health Professions · Psychology · #Career Development and Diversity #Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions #Mentoring and Academic Development

paper · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3003243

Abstract

STEM is profoundly shaped by wealth, yet financial privilege is rarely acknowledged in discussions of diversity and inclusion. Wealth influences participation, persistence, and recognition in science, affecting not just who enters the pipeline but also who can afford to stay.

Citations

• Adolescent Work Intensity, School Performance, and Academic Engagement

Cited by

• Student motivations and identity in biomedical sciences: a social cognitive careers theory approach. [europepmc]
• Bridging the gap: increasing accessibility to authentic learning in undergraduate education. [europepmc]

Discussions

• Some possibly interesting/useful refs on socioeconomic barriers to success in academia ... comments welcome. McClain 2025 doi.org/10.1371/jour...; Morgan et al. 2022 doi.org/10.1038/s415...; Arbuckl [bsky, 22 points, 1 comments]
• "Many talented scientists, disillusioned by constant financial insecurity, leave academia altogether, resulting in a significant brain drain that deprives the field of diverse perspectives and innovat [bsky, 10 points, 0 comments]

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• Scientific wealth and inequality within nations