Navigating Barriers into Technology
- 1IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), Olshausenstraße 62,Kiel, Germany
- 2IPN,Kiel, Germany
- 3Kiel University,Kiel, Germany
Abstract
In the context of declining STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) enrolment in Germany and persistent gender disparities in technology fields, this paper examines the barriers encountered by successful entrants into technology research and the strategies that supported their persistence. Based on narrative biographical interviews with 13 early-career researchers in Germany, and a ranking task on ten career-choice factors, the study finds that most factors were remembered as encouraging, while Gender Identity Fit and Competence Beliefs emerged as the most ambivalent and discouraging. Gender Identity Fit was particularly discouraging for some female participants because of low representation and limited role models, though for others it fostered defiance and persistence. Competence Beliefs were discouraging across genders and were shaped by uncertainty, perceived lack of ability, and the image of technology as difficult. Participants described two recurring ways of navigating these barriers: reframing competence through learning experiences and normalizing uncertainty through peer interaction. The findings are relevant for technology-oriented degree programs, including biomedical engineering, and underscore the importance of addressing early barriers to support more inclusive entry and persistence in technology.
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BibTeX
@article{benjamin2026navigating,
title = {{Navigating Barriers into Technology}},
author = {Diemel Paul Benjamin and Enzingmüller Carolin and Uwe Schmidt Gerhard and Parchmann Ilka},
journal = {Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1515/cdbme-2026-0125},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2026-0125},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Navigating Barriers into Technology
AU - Diemel Paul Benjamin
AU - Enzingmüller Carolin
AU - Uwe Schmidt Gerhard
AU - Parchmann Ilka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering
DO - 10.1515/cdbme-2026-0125
UR - https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2026-0125
AB - In the context of declining STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) enrolment in Germany and persistent gender disparities in technology fields, this paper examines the barriers encountered by successful entrants into technology research and the strategies that supported their persistence. Based on narrative biographical interviews with 13 early-career researchers in Germany, and a ranking task on ten career-choice factors, the study finds that most factors were remembered as encouraging, while Gender Identity Fit and Competence Beliefs emerged as the most ambivalent and discouraging. Gender Identity Fit was particularly discouraging for some female participants because of low representation and limited role models, though for others it fostered defiance and persistence. Competence Beliefs were discouraging across genders and were shaped by uncertainty, perceived lack of ability, and the image of technology as difficult. Participants described two recurring ways of navigating these barriers: reframing competence through learning experiences and normalizing uncertainty through peer interaction. The findings are relevant for technology-oriented degree programs, including biomedical engineering, and underscore the importance of addressing early barriers to support more inclusive entry and persistence in technology.
SN - 2364-5504
ER -