Caitl in Callahan, Grand Valley State University
Julie Libarkin, Michigan State University
Carmen McCallum, SUNY-Buffalo State
Chris Atchison, University of Cincinnati
10 August 2015
SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY
AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN
GEOSCIENCES
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How did we identify
Social Capital Theory
as a useful framework
for studying
diversity?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How did we identify
Social Capital Theory
as a useful framework
for studying
diversity?
How might
Social Capital Theory
guide study on increasing
diversity in geosciences?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How might
Social Capital Theory
guide study on increasing
diversity in geosciences?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
Define*
Social Capital Theory
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
Define*
Social Capital Theory
Example study using
Social Capital Theory and
examples of how it might
be applied in Geoscience
SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY
AS THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
https://bnktothefuture.com/crowd-funding/social-capital-your-most-treasured-asset-of-the-future/
Key Theorists: Bourdieu (1986);
Coleman (1988); and Putnam (1993)
Differ in details
Agree in essentials: Resources can be
acquired through relationships
Coleman (1988): social capital not
restricted to privilege or wealth
SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY
AS THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Types of
Relationships
Strong (Bonding) Ties: Frequent & Close
Interactions
Weak (Bridging) Ties: Infrequent Interactions
Types of Trust
Benevolence-Based:“My academic mentor
would look out for my
best interests if I went to
him or her with a
question or concern.”
Competence-Based:
“I assume my academic
mentor is competent at
their job.” AND
“I assume my academic
mentor see me as
competent at my job.”
EXCHANGE OF
USEFUL
KNOWLEDGE
SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY
AS THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
Example study using
Social Capital Theory and
examples of how it might
be applied in Geoscience
BARRIERS TO SOCIAL CAPITALFoor et al. (2007): “I Wish I Belonged More in this Whole
Engineering Group:” Achieving Individual Diversity
Narrative
Ethnography
Bourdieu: Critical
Cultural Theory
(inc. Social Capital)+
Purpose: Experiences of an URM student (“Inez”) in
Engineering Program
Design Theoretical Framework
Individual
Minority Scholarships
“Co-Ops” (Internships)
Professor
“I would quit if I were you…”
Perceived favorites
BARRIERS TO SOCIAL CAPITALFoor et al. (2007): “I Wish I Belonged More in this Whole
Engineering Group:” Achieving Individual Diversity
Importance of
Building Ties
Importance of
Trust
MORE IDEAS…
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive Feedback
Sponsorship
Access to
Opportunities
Accountability for
what REALLY matters
Professional
Development
Emotional Support
Intellectual
Community
Safe Spaces
You
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive Feedback
Sponsorship
Access to
Opportunities
Accountability for
what REALLY matters
Professional
Development
Emotional Support
Intellectual
Community
Safe Spaces
You
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive
Feedback
Accountability
for what
REALLY
matters
Emotional
Support
Safe Spaces
You
Strong Ties
Weak Ties
Mix of Ties
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive
Feedback
Sponsorship
Accountability
for what
REALLY
matters
Professional
Development
Emotional
Support
Safe Spaces
You
Strong Ties
Weak Ties
Mix of Ties
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive
Feedback
Sponsorship
Access to
Opportunities
Accountability
for what
REALLY
matters
Professional
Development
Emotional
Support
Intellectual
Community
Safe Spaces
You
Strong Ties
Weak Ties
Mix of Ties
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive
Feedback
Sponsorship
Access to
Opportunities
Accountability
for what
REALLY
matters
Professional
Development
Emotional
Support
Intellectual
Community
Safe Spaces
You
“What are
you?”
“..if I were
you…”
MORE IDEAS…
Substantive
Feedback
Sponsorship
Access to
Opportunities
Accountability
for what
REALLY
matters
Professional
Development
Emotional
Support
Intellectual
Community
Safe Spaces
Our
Students
“What
are
you?”
“..if I
were
you…”
Individual
Resources
Social Capital
Theory
MORE IDEAS…
Nature of
Knowledge
Exchanged
Individual
Resources
Social Capital
Theory
MORE IDEAS…
Nature of
Knowledge
Exchanged
Individual
Resources
Relationships
with Peers
Social Capital
Theory
MORE IDEAS…
Nature of
Knowledge
Exchanged
Individual
Resources
Relationships
with Peers
Social Capital
Theory
Mentoring
Relationships
MORE IDEAS…
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How might
Social Capital Theory
guide study on increasing
diversity in geosciences?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
Nature of
Knowledge
Exchanged
Individual
Resources
Relationships
with Peers
Mentoring
Relationships
How might
Social Capital Theory
guide study on increasing
diversity in geosciences?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How did we identify
Social Capital Theory
as a useful framework
for studying
diversity?
DEFINING THE PROBLEM AND
RESEARCH QUESTIONS OF STUDY
Overarching
Problem
Access &
Inclusion
http://career.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Career-Choice.jpg
Social
Capital
Theory
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How did we identify
Social Capital Theory
as a useful framework
for studying
diversity?
SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FRAMEWORK FOR
STUDYING DIVERSITY IN GEOSCIENCES
How did we identify
Social Capital Theory
as a useful framework
for studying
diversity?
Posed initial research
question
literature review
Further reading
on theory
Could something
else be better?
KEY: Collaboration with
Higher Education Scholar
QUESTIONS?