Identities in/out of physics and the politics of recognition

Framed within intersectionality, this multiple case study explores women's participation in physics through the construct of identity and with a focus on recognition. The is drawn upon an empirical life-history exploration three women: native to Northwestern Europe, late-career white woman two immigrant women one undergraduate student color, other, early career Muslim woman. data for were collected multiple, semistructured, interviews period 2 years, which analyzed using constant comparative method. Collectively, life-histories tell stories otherness, persistence, hope, failure they elucidate kinds identities that are deemed “in-place” “out-of-place” physics. They showcase how authored simply co-existed them, while others seen as conflicting caused misrecognition. findings point four main insights: (a) recognition neither linear nor binary it comes many different forms range from explicit encouragement no opposition; (b) various sources including ones years life: family, school teachers, university instructor, students, social community; (c) culture-dependent such, influenced by factors levels, cultural gender stereotypes, organizational policies, racism, sexism, classicism, other discrimination. implications these speak need for: systemic programs recognized seek widen diversify environments level professional level; research politics perpetuate underrepresentation physics; and, disrupting monolithic theorizations adopting intersectional approaches exploring value personal histories, subjectivities, positionalities.