“You are a Machine Here, You Work Here, You Perform”: Queer Students’ Perceptions of Domain-Specific Climates in Engineering Doctoral Education
References
- Abrica, E. J., Hatch-Tocaimaza, D., & Rios-Aguilar, C. (2023). On the impossibilities of advancing racial justice in higher education research through reliance on the campus climate heuristic. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 16(2), 144–156. 10.1037/dhe0000323
- Ames, C. (1992).
Achievement goals and the classroom motivational climate . In J. L. Meece & D. H. Schunk (Eds.), Student perceptions in the classroom (pp. 327–348). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.https://www.routledge.com/Student-Perceptions-in-the-Classroom/Schunk-Meece/p/book/9780805809824 - Ames, C., & Ames, R. (1984). Systems of student and teacher motivation: Toward a qualitative definition. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(4), 535–556. 10.1037/0022-0663.76.4.535
- Amoadu, M., Ansah, E. W., & Sarfo, J. O. (2024). Preventing workplace mistreatment and improving workers’ mental health: A scoping review of the impact of psychosocial safety climate. BMC Psychology, 12(1). 10.1186/s40359-024-01675-z
- Ashforth, B. E. (1985). Climate formation: Issues and extensions. The Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 837–847. 10.2307/258051
- Ashforth, B. E., Harrison, S. H., & Corley, K. G. (2008). Identification in organizations: An examination of four fundamental questions. Journal of Management, 34(3), 325–374. 10.1177/0149206308316059
- Ashforth, B. E., & Mael, F. (1989). Social identity theory and the organization. The Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 20. 10.2307/258189
- Avery, D. R., & McKay, P. F. (2010). Doing diversity right: An empirically based approach to effective diversity management. International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 25, 227–252. 10.1002/9780470661628.ch6
- Bahnson, M., Satterfield, D., Wyer, M., & Kirn, A. (2022). Interacting with ruling relations: Engineering graduate student experiences of discrimination. Studies in Engineering Education, 3(1), 53–78. 10.21061/see.76
- Baltes, B. B., Zhdanova, L. S., & Parker, C. P. (2009). Psychological climate: A comparison of organizational and individual level referents. Human Relations, 62(5), 669–700. 10.1177/0018726709103454
- Barbour, R. (2018).
Quality of data collection . In U. Flick (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative data collection (pp. 217–230). Sage. 10.4135/9781526416070.n14 - Bernard, H. R. (2018). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative Approaches, 6th ed. Rowman & Littlefield.
- Bernard, H. R., & Ryan, G. W. (2010). Analyzing qualitative data: Systematic approaches. Sage.
- Bernard, H. R., Wutich, A., & Ryan, G. W. (2017). Analyzing qualitative data: Systematic approaches (2nd ed). Sage.
- Beus, J. M., Smith, J. H., & Taylor, E. C. (2023). Integrating organizational climate theory: A domain-independent explanation for climate formation and function. Journal of Applied Psychology, 108(12), 2018–2039. 10.1037/apl0001117
- Bilimoria, D., & Stewart, A. J. (2009). “Don’t ask, don’t tell”: The academic climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty in science and engineering. NWSA Journal, 21(2), 85–103. 10.1353/ff.2009.a316151
- Bingham, A. J., Mitchell, R., & Carter, D. S. (2024). A practical guide to theoretical frameworks for social science research. 10.4324/9781003261759
- Bingham, A. J., & Witkowsky, P. (2022).
Deductive and inductive approaches to qualitative data analysis . In C. Vanover, P. Mihas, & J. Saldaña (Eds.), Analyzing and interpreting qualitative data: After the interview (pp. 133–146). Sage. - Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Prentice-Hall.
- Boehm, S. A., Dwertmann, D. J., Kunze, F., Michaelis, B., Parks, K. M., & McDonald, D. P. (2014). Expanding insights on the diversity climate–performance link: The role of workgroup discrimination and group size. Human Resource Management, 53(3), 379–402. 10.1002/hrm.21589
- Bork, S. J., & Mondisa, J. (2022). Engineering graduate students’ mental health: A scoping literature review. Journal of Engineering Education, 111, 665–702. 10.1002/jee.20465
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3–26. 10.1037/qup0000196
- Brinkmann, S. (2020).
Unstructured and semi-structured interviewing . In P. Leavy (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of qualitative research, 2nd ed. Oxford. 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190847388.013.22 - Buch, R., Nerstad, C. G. L., & Säfvenbom, R. (2017). The interactive roles of mastery climate and performance climate in predicting intrinsic motivation. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 27(2), 245–253. 10.1111/sms.12634
- Cech, E. A., & Rothwell, W. (2018). LGBTQ inequality in engineering education. Journal of Engineering Education, 107(4), 583–610. 10.1002/jee.20239
- Cech, E. A., & Waidzunas, T. J. (2011). Navigating the heteronormativity of engineering: The experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. Engineering Studies, 3(1), 1–24. 10.1080/19378629.2010.545065
- Cech, E., Waidzunas, T., & Farrell, S. (2017). The inequality of LGBTQ students in U.S. engineering education: Report on a study of eight engineering programs. 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings. 10.18260/1-2-–;28981
- Černe, M., Hernaus, T., Dysvik, A., & Škerlavaj, M. (2017). The role of multilevel synergistic interplay among team mastery climate, knowledge hiding, and job characteristics in stimulating innovative work behavior. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(2), 281–299. 10.1111/1748-8583.12132
- Černe, M., Nerstad, C. G., Dysvik, A., & Škerlavaj, M. (2014). What goes around comes around: Knowledge hiding, perceived motivational climate, and creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 57(1), 172–192. 10.5465/amj.2012.0122
- Chamberlain, K., & Hodgetts, D. (2018).
Collecting qualitative data with hard-to-reach groups . In U. Flick (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative data collection (pp. 668–685). Sage. 10.4135/9781526416070.n42 - Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013) Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120–123.
- Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 5th ed. Sage.
- Cross, K., Mendenhall, R., Amos, J., Clancy, K., Imoukhuede, P., & Cromley, J. (2018). Intersecting identities of women in engineering. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. Salt Lake City. 10.18260/1-2-–;30711
- Davis, S. C., Nolen, S. B., Cheon, N., Moise, E., & Hamilton, E. W. (2023). Engineering climate for marginalized groups: Connections to peer relations and engineering identity. Journal of Engineering Education, 112(2), 284–315. 10.1002/jee.20515
- Dollard, M. F., & Bakker, A. B. (2010). Psychosocial safety climate as a precursor to conducive work environments, psychological health problems, and employee engagement. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 83(3), 579–599. 10.1348/096317909x470690
- Dollard, M. F., Tuckey, M. R., & Dormann, C. (2012). Psychosocial safety climate moderates the job demand–resource interaction in predicting workgroup distress. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 45, 694–704. 10.1016/j.aap.2011.09.042
- Dutta, M. J. (2015). Decolonizing communication for social change: A culture-centered approach. Communication Theory, 25(2), 123–143. 10.1111/comt.12067
- Dwertmann, D. J., Nishii, L. H., & van Knippenberg, D. (2016). Disentangling the fairness & discrimination and synergy perspectives on diversity climate. Journal of Management, 42(5), 1136–1168. 10.1177/0149206316630380
- Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. 10.2307/2666999
- Edmondson, A. C., & Lei, Z. (2014). Psychological safety: The history, renaissance, and future of an interpersonal construct. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1(1), 23–43. 10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091305
- Ehrhart, M. G., & Schneider, B. (2016). Organizational climate and culture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. 10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.3
- Ehrhart, M. G., Schneider, B., & Macey, W. H. (2014). Organizational climate and culture: An introduction to theory, research, and Practice. Routledge.
- Else-Quest, N. M., & Aldridge, J. L. (2026). Reorienting to organizational climate in engineering doctoral education: An integrative framework and meta-synthesis. AERA Open, 12. 10.1177/23328584261441566
- Frazier, M. L., Fainshmidt, S., Klinger, R. L., Pezeshkan, A., & Vracheva, V. (2017). Psychological safety: A meta-analytic review and extension. Personnel Psychology, 70(1), 113–165. 10.1111/peps.12183
- Freeman, J. B. (2020). Measuring and resolving LGBTQ disparities in STEM. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7(2), 141–148. 10.1177/2372732220943232
- Garrick, A., Mak, A. S., Cathcart, S., Winwood, P. C., Bakker, A. B., & Lushington, K. (2014). Psychosocial safety climate moderating the effects of daily job demands and recovery on fatigue and work engagement. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 87(4), 694–714. 10.1111/joop.12069
- Garvey, J. C., & Rankin, S. R. (2015). Making the grade? Classroom climate for LGBTQ students across gender conformity. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 52(2), 190–203. 10.1080/19496591.2015.1019764
- Garvey, J. C., Sanders, L. A., & Flint, M. A. (2017). Generational perceptions of campus climate among LGBTQ undergraduates. Journal of College Student Development, 58(6), 795–817. 10.1353/csd.2017.0065
- Grandey, A., Foo, S. C., Groth, M., & Goodwin, R. E. (2012). Free to be you and me: A climate of authenticity alleviates burnout from emotional labor. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17(1), 1–14. 10.1037/a0025102
- Guest, G., Namey, E., & Chen, M. (2020). A simple method to assess and report thematic saturation in qualitative research. PLOS ONE 15(5), Article e0232076. 10.1371/journal.pone.0232076
- Hall, R. M., & Sandler, B. R. (1982, January). The classroom climate: A chilly one for women? ERIC.
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED215628 - Hart, J., & Fellabaum, J. (2008). Analyzing campus climate studies: Seeking to define and understand. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 1(4), 222–234. 10.1037/a0013627
- Haverkamp, A., Bothwell, M., Montfort, D., & Driskill, Q. (2021). Calling for a paradigm shift in the study of gender in engineering education. Studies in Engineering Education, 1(2), 55–70. 10.21061/see.34
- Hellriegel, D., & Slocum, J. W. (1974). Organizational climate: Measures, research and contingencies. Academy of Management Journal, 17(2), 255–280. 10.2307/254979
- Henry, G. T. (2009).
Practical sampling . In L. Bickman & D. J. Rog (Eds.), Practical sampling, 2nd ed (pp. 77–105). Sage. 10.4135/9781483348858.n3 - Hesse-Biber, S. N. (2007).
The practice of feminist in-depth interviewing . In S. N. Hesse-Biber & P. Leavy (Eds.), Feminist research practice: A primer (pp. 111–148). Sage. 10.4135/9781412984270.n5 - Hughes, B. E. (2018). Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students. Science Advances, 4(3). 10.1126/sciadv.aao6373
- James, L. R., & Jones, A. P. (1974). Organizational climate: A review of theory and research. Psychological Bulletin, 81(12), 1096–1112. 10.1037/h0037511
- Kim, T., & Kim, D. (2023). Chilly climate perceived by female engineering undergraduates: An exploratory study using concept mapping. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1145795. 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145795
- Kopperud, K. H., Nerstad, C. G., & Dysvik, A. (2020). Should I stay or should I go? the role of motivational climate and work–home spillover for turnover intentions. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1107. 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01107
- Law, R., Dollard, M. F., Tuckey, M. R., & Dormann, C. (2011). Psychosocial safety climate as a lead indicator of workplace bullying and harassment, job resources, psychological health and employee engagement. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(5), 1782–1793. 10.1016/j.aap.2011.04.010
- Lee, C. (2023). Coming out in the university workplace: A case study of LGBTQ + staff visibility. Higher Education, 85(5), 1181–1199. 10.1007/s10734-022-00884-y
- Leslie, L. M., & Gelfand, M. J. (2008). The who and when of internal gender discrimination claims: An interactional model. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 107(2), 123–140. 10.1016/j.obhdp.2008.02.004
- Marosi, N. K. M., Avraamidou, L., & López López, M. (2025). Queer individuals’ experiences in STEM learning and working environments. Studies in Science Education, 61(1), 1–39. 10.1080/03057267.2024.2313903
- McHugh, M. C. (2020).
Feminist qualitative research: Toward transformation of science and society . In P. Leavy (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research, 2nd ed. Oxford. 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199811755.013.014 - McKay, P. F., Avery, D. R., Tonidandel, S., Morris, M. A., Hernandez, M., & Hebl, M. R. (2007). Racial differences in employee retention: Are diversity climate perceptions the key? Personnel Psychology, 60(1), 35–62. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.2007.00064.x
- Nerstad, C. G., Wong, S. I., & Richardsen, A. M. (2019). Can engagement go awry and lead to burnout? The moderating role of the perceived motivational climate. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(11), 1979. 10.3390/ijerph16111979
- Nerstad, C. G. L., Caniëls, M. C. J., Roberts, G. C., & Richardsen, A. M. (2020). Perceived motivational climates and employee energy: The mediating role of basic psychological needs. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1509. 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01509
- Newman, A., Donohue, R., & Eva, N. (2017). Psychological safety: A systematic review of the literature. Human Resource Management Review, 27(3), 521–535. 10.1016/j.hrmr.2017.01.001
- Nishii, L. H., Lepak, D. P., & Schneider, B. (2008). Employee attributions of the “why” of HR practices: Their effects on employee attitudes and behaviors, and customer satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 61(3), 503–545. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.2008.00121.x
- Oakley, A. (1981).
Interviewing women: A contradiction in terms? In H. Roberts (Ed.), Doing Feminist Research (pp. 30–61). Routledge. - Oliver, S. (2023). Ann Oakley: New learning and global influence from working across conventional boundaries. London Review of Education, 21(1), Article 11. 10.14324/LRE.21.1.11
- Ostermeier, K., Cooper, D., & Caldas, M. (2022). Can I be who I am? Psychological authenticity climate and employee outcomes. Human Performance, 35(1), 1–30. 10.1080/08959285.2021.1998060
- Ostroff, C., Kinicki, A. J., & Muhammad, R. S. (2012). Organizational culture and climate. Handbook of Psychology, 2nd ed. 10.1002/9781118133880.hop212024
- Pagliaccio, D. (2025). Mental health disparities among sexual and gender minority students in higher education. Journal of American College Health, 73(5), 1951–1962. 10.1080/07448481.2024.2404944
- Parker, C. P., Baltes, B. B., Young, S. A., Huff, J. W., Altmann, R. A., LaCost, H. A., & Roberts, J. E. (2003). Relationships between psychological climate perceptions and work outcomes: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24(4), 389–416. 10.1002/job.198
- Patterson, M. G., West, M. A., Shackleton, V. J., Dawson, J. F., Lawthom, R., Maitlis, S., Robinson, D. L., & Wallace, A. M. (2005). Validating the organizational climate measure: Links to managerial practices, productivity and innovation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 379–408. 10.1002/job.312
- Pawley, A. L., Schimpf, C., & Nelson, L. (2016). Gender in engineering education research: A content analysis of research in JEE, 1998–2012. Journal of Engineering Education, 105(3), 508–528. 10.1002/jee.20128
- Perry, E. L., & Li, A. (2019).
Diversity climate in organizations . In D. D. Bergh (Ed.), Oxford research encyclopedia of business and management. Oxford. 10.1093/acrefore/9780190224851.013.45 - Pitcher, E. N., Camacho, T. P., Renn, K. A., & Woodford, M. R. (2018). Affirming policies, programs, and supportive services: Using an organizational perspective to understand LGBTQ+ college student success. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 11(2), 117–132. 10.1037/dhe0000048
- Punch, K. (2005). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, 2nd ed. Sage.
- Rankin, S., & Garvey, J. (2015). Identifying, quantifying, and operationalizing queer-spectrum and trans-spectrum students: Assessment and research in student affairs. New Directions for Student Services, 152, 73–84. 10.1002/ss.20146
- Rankin, S., Garvey, J. C., & Duran, A. (2019). A retrospective of LGBT issues on US college campuses: 1990–2020. International Sociology, 34(4), 435–454. 10.1177/0268580919851429
- Reggiani, M., Gagnon, J. D., & Lunn, R. J. (2024). LGBT + academics’ and PhD students’ experiences of visibility in STEM: More than raising the Rainbow Flag. Higher Education, 87(1), 69–87. 10.1007/s10734-023-00993-2
- Reichers, A.·E., & Schneider, B. (1990).
Climate and culture: An evolution of constructs . In B. Schneider (Ed.), Organizational climate and culture (pp. 5–39). Jossey-Bass. - Riley, D., Slaton, A. E., & Pawley, A. L. (2014).
Social justice and inclusion: Women and minorities in engineering . In A. Johri & B. M. Olds (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Engineering Education Research (pp. 335–356). Cambridge. - Roberts, G. C. (2012). Motivation in sport and exercise from an achievement goal theory perspective: After 30 years, where are we? Advances in Motivation in Sport and Exercise, 5–58. 10.5040/9781492595182.ch-001
- Savvides, N., Al-Youssef, J., Colin, M., & Garrido, C. (2014). Journeys into inner/outer space: Reflections on the methodological challenges of negotiating insider/outsider status in international educational research. Research in Comparative and International Education, 9(4), 412–425. 10.2304/rcie.2014.9.4.412
- Schneider, B. (2000).
The psychological life of organizations . In N. M. Ashkanasy, C. P. M. Wilderom, & M. F. Peterson (Eds.), Handbook of organizational culture & climate (pp. xvii–xxi). Sage. - Schneider, B., Ehrhart, M. G., & Macey, W. H. (2011).
Perspectives on organizational climate and culture . In S. Zedeck (Ed.), APA Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Vol 1: Building and Developing the Organization (pp. 373–414). American Psychological Association. 10.1037/12169-012 - Schneider, B., González-Romá, V., Ostroff, C., & West, M. A. (2017). Organizational climate and culture: Reflections on the history of the constructs in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Journal of Applied Psychology, 102(3), 468–482. 10.1037/apl0000090
- Schneider, B., & Reichers, A. E. (1983). On the etiology of climates. Personnel Psychology, 36(1), 19–39. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1983.tb00500.x
- Schulte, M., Ostroff, C., & Kinicki, A. J. (2006). Organizational climate systems and psychological climate perceptions: A cross-level study of climate-satisfaction relationships. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 79(4), 645–671. 10.1348/096317905x72119
- Smith, D. G. (2012).
Diversity: A bridge to the future? In M. N. Bastedo (Ed.), The organization of higher education: Managing colleges for a new era (pp. 225–255). Johns Hopkins University Press. - Sprague, J. (2016). Feminist methodologies for critical researchers: Bridging differences, 2nd ed. Rowman & Littlefield. 10.5040/9798216405252
- Stornes, T., & Bru, E. (2011). Perceived motivational climates and self-reported emotional and behavioural problems among Norwegian secondary school students. School Psychology International, 32(4), 425–438. 10.1177/0143034310397280
- Stout, J. G., & Wright, H. M. (2016). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students’ sense of belonging in computing: An intersectional approach. Computing in Science & Engineering, 18(3), 24–30. 10.1109/mcse.2016.45
- Symon, G., & Cassell, C. (2012). Qualitative organizational research: Core methods and current challenges. Sage. 10.4135/9781526435620
- Wang, C., Ku, G., Smith, A. N., Edwards, B., Scott, E., & Galinsky, A. D. (2025). Increasing Black employees’ social identity affirmation and organizational involvement: Reducing social uncertainty through organizational and individual strategies. Organization Science, 36(20), 809–837. 10.1287/orsc.2020.14659
- Witcomb, G. L., & Cooper, C. (2024). ‘Show us a kiss!’: The everyday sexual harassment experiences of female lesbian, bisexual, and queer students. Violence Against Women, 30(11), 3055–3076. 10.1177/10778012231166399
- Williams, J., Schwalbe, M., Godwin, S., Holden, D., Schrock, D., Thompson, S., & Wolkomir, M. (2008).
Symbolic interactionism . In The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. Sage. 10.4135/9781412963909.n442 - Wutich, A., & Bernard, H. R. (2023).
Non-probability sampling . In A. Ruth, A. Wutich, & H. R. Bernard (Eds.), The Handbook of Teaching Qualitative and Mixed Research Methods: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructors (pp. 24–27). Taylor and Francis. 10.4324/9781003213277-7 - Yang, J. A. (2024). Engineer, Asian, and Gay AF: Counterstory as means for methodological activism and intersectional healing in engineering education. Studies in Engineering Education, 5(1), 73–97. 10.21061/see.123
- Yoon, S. Y., Aldridge, J., Else-Quest, N. M., & Roy, J. (2024). Development of a climate survey for engineering doctoral students from an intersectional approach: First-round validity evidence. 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exhibition.
https://peer.asee.org/47175
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/see.237 | Journal eISSN: 2690-5450
Language: English
Page range: 105 - 126
Submitted on: Aug 1, 2025
Accepted on: Jul 28, 2026
Published on: Aug 18, 2026
Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
© 2026 Julie L. Aldridge, So Yoon Yoon, Joseph Roy, Nicole M. Else-Quest, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.