Colliding identities? The role of multiple identities among historically underrepresented students pursuing scientific research careers

Motivated by Identity Integration and Threat theories, this preregistered study examined associations between scientist and ethnic identities and future scientific research career intentions among African American and Hispanic STEM undergraduates (N = 1,247). Scientist identity was positively correlated with junior-year ethnic identity and predicted senior-year scientific research career intentions. Neither scientist nor ethnic identities predicted senior-year self-esteem (which may influence science career decisions). However, minority science training program (MSTP) enrollment influenced the relationship between scientist identity and self-esteem, and between ethnic identity (belongingness) and scientific research career intentions. Neither ethnicity nor gender were moderators. The results indicate that different identities can relate to one another and uniquely influence scientific research career decisions among African American and Hispanic students, especially among MSTP enrollees.