Exploring academic persistence among female STEM lecturers at a selected Malaysian public university

Kangani, Kokab and Abd Karim, Aishah Hanim (2026) Exploring academic persistence among female STEM lecturers at a selected Malaysian public university. International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 8 (4). pp. 1012-1024. E-ISSN 2682-8138

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Abstract

The pursuit of doctoral excellence in STEM is critical for national innovation, yet women globally face high attrition rates, particularly in male-dominated engineering disciplines. In Malaysia, while policy initiatives aim to close gender gaps, the internal psychological drivers that enable women to successfully navigate these challenging academic journeys remain underexplored. This study investigates the lived experiences of female engineering PhD graduates at a selected Malaysian public university to identify the characteristics that underpin their academic persistence. Adopting a qualitative case study design, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with nine participants serving as Assistant and Associate Professors with 2 to 11 years of academic experience. Participants were selected via purposive snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework to identify recurring patterns in the participants’ doctoral journeys. Findings reveal five core internal factors driving persistence: (1) perceived career opportunity, particularly the need for academic stability; (2) professional development motivation, focusing on intellectual mastery and original contribution; (3) resilience, characterized by the ability to reframe hurdles as growth opportunities; (4) determination and sustained effort, involving disciplined daily routines and grit; and (5) inner drive, a multidimensional construct integrating self-belief, hope, willingness, and optimism. The study concludes that intrinsic motivation and psychological strengths are essential for overcoming institutional and personal barriers in STEM. These findings underscore the need for the Ministry of Education and universities to move beyond structural support and actively nurture psychological resilience through mentorship and targeted counselling services. Such interventions are vital for fostering a sustainable pipeline of female scholars and ensuring gender equity in advanced technical fields.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	academic persistence, case study, doctoral program, Malaysian public university, STEM
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1050.9 Educational psychology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Education > Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling
Depositing User:	Dr Aishah Hanim Abd Karim
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2026 10:22
Last Update:	15 Jul 2026 10:22
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q3959
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129784

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