Skip to main content
Log in

Apprenticeship in science research: whom does it serve?

  • Forum
  • Published:
Cultural Studies of Science Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article advances the thinking of Thompson, Conaway and Dolan’s “Undergraduate students’ development of social, cultural, and human capital in a network research experience”. Set against a background of change in the biosciences, and participation, it firstly explores ideas of what it means to be a scientist, then challenges the current view of the apprenticeship model of career trajectory, before going onto to consider the nature of participation in communities of practice and issues related to underrepresented minority groups in science. Central to this analysis is the place that the notion of habitus plays in thinking about shaping future scientists and the how this can both support, but also suppress, opportunities for individuals through a maintenance of the status quo.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aschbacher, P. R., Li, E., & Roth, E. J. (2010). Is science me? High school students’ identities, participation and aspirations in science, engineering, and medicine. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47, 564–582. doi:10.1002/tea.20353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernier, A., Larose, S., & Soucy, N. (2005). Academic mentoring in college: The interactive role of student’s and mentor’s interpersonal dispositions. Research in Higher Education, 46, 29–51. doi:10.1007/s11162-004-6288-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, B. (2003). The structuring of pedagogic discourse: Structuring of pedagogic discourse Vol 4(Class, codes and control). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billet, S. (2004). Learning through work: Workplace participatory practices. In H. Rainbird, A. Fuller, & A. Munro (Eds.), Workplace learning in context (pp. 109–125). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a theory of practice (Vol. 16). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • DeWitt, J., Archer, L., Osborne, J., Dillon, J., Willis, B., & Wong, B. (2011). High aspirations but low progression: The science aspirations–careers paradox amongst minority ethnic students. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 9, 243–271. doi:10.1007/s10763-010-9245-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, M. F., Sonnert, G., & Nikiforova, I. (2009). Successful programs for undergraduate women in science and engineering: Adapting versus adopting the institutional environment. Research in Higher Education, 50, 333–353. doi:10.1007/s11162-009-9120-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, A. B., Laursen, S. L., & Seymour, E. (2007). Becoming a scientist: The role of undergraduate research in students’ cognitive, personal, and professional development. Science Education, 91, 36–74. doi:10.1002/sce.20173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jawitz, J. (2009). Learning in the academic workplace: The harmonization of the collective and the individual habitus. Studies in Higher Education, 34, 601–614. doi:10.1080/03075070802556149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, P. T., & Trowler, P. R. (2000). Department-level cultures and the improvement of learning and teaching. Studies in Higher Education, 25, 69–83. doi:10.1080/030750700116028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lareau, A., & Weininger, E. B. (2003). Cultural capital in educational research: A critical assessment. Theory and Society, 32, 567–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado, D. E. Z., Rhoads, R., & Buenavista, T. L. (2005). The student-initiated retention project: Theoretical contributions and the role of self-empowerment. American Educational Research Journal, 42, 605–638. doi:10.3102/00028312042004605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics. (2009). Women, minorities and persons with disabilities in science and engineering (NSF 09-305). Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovink, S. M., & Veazey, B. D. (2011). More than “getting us through”: A case study in cultural capital enrichment of underrepresented minority undergraduates. Research in Higher Education, 52, 370–394. doi:10.1007/s11162-010-9198-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stake, J. E. (2006). The critical mediating role of social encouragement for science motivation and confidence among high school girls and boys. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 1017–1045. doi:10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00053.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tenenbaum, H. R., & Leaper, C. (2003). Parent–child conversations about science: The socialization of gender inequities? Developmental Psychology, 39, 34–47. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.39.1.34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Davies.

Additional information

This review essay addresses issues raised in Jennifer Thompson, Evan Conaway and Erin Dolan’s paper entitled: undergraduate students’ development of social, cultural, and human capital in a network research experience. doi:10.1007/s11422-014-9628-6.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Davies, P. Apprenticeship in science research: whom does it serve?. Cult Stud of Sci Educ 11, 991–997 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-015-9661-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-015-9661-0

Keywords

Navigation