Girls Talk Math - Imposter Syndrome Workshop

Imposter syndrome—also known as imposter phenomenon—originated as a term in the 1970s to describe the phenomenon that accomplished women often felt: that they were only successful due to luck, and did not belong in the spaces they occupied. Since then, it has become a more widespread term that has also commonly characterized the experiences of women (and in particular, women of Color) in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. While there has been an increased focus on helping women-- and particularly, women of Color, who face a “double bind”-- combat imposter syndrome in the STEM fields, much of this work focuses on what individuals can do to gain confidence and convince themselves that they do belong. Too often, what is missing from these discussions is an explicit understanding and critique of the structural norms, expectations, and culture of the STEM fields, which center whiteness. This is particularly true in the field of mathematics, which is a gateway for many other STEM fields. In this talk, we will deconstruct some of the ways in which our assumptions about mathematics and “math people'' center whiteness and continue to perpetuate norms and expectations that exclude women of Color—who are not only facing imposter syndrome but are being purposefully impostered by the system. We will then share strategies for managing and navigating these spaces that will be helpful for students and educators alike.