This article examines the difficulties women of color face within political science academia, despite broader calls for diversity.
Introduction & Context: While political science has increasingly acknowledged DEI issues, women of color remain significantly underrepresented and encounter unique obstacles. Using qualitative data from interviews with scholars at various career stages across departments in North America, this study investigates the specific challenges these women navigate that differ from those faced by white women or racialized men.
Key Challenges & Findings: Our analysis reveals several persistent barriers: implicit bias affects hiring and promotion decisions; tokenization often occurs without genuine institutional commitment to DEI; navigating intersectional discrimination presents complex daily demands for identity management, emotional labor, and resilience;
the lack of visible role models impacts mentorship opportunities.
Implications & Conclusion: This research suggests that current DEI initiatives in political science departments fall short when addressing the specific needs of women of color. Departments must adopt more nuanced approaches to inclusion, acknowledging intersectionality beyond singular axes or identities.
