Gendered motivations and aspirations of university physics students in Finland

Abstract

Finland is known worldwide for their strong K–12 education system and robust gender equality across their nation. However, these facts have not translated into strong representation of women in physics degree attainment and the workforce. This study seeks to understand the motivations and consideration to leave of university physics students in Finland, with a specific focus on gender. Undergraduate students’ aspiration to attend graduate school and graduate students’ aspiration for an academic career were also assessed. This study uses a survey instrument distributed to Finnish physics students at 5 of the 9 nationwide programs. The responses (N=329) indicate that anxiety increases a students’ consideration to leave and that women report higher anxiety and lower self-efficacy in their pursuit of a physics degree than men. Women were also more likely to report being extrinsically motivated to pursue physics than men. Positive intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy predicted the aspiration of graduate school for undergraduates, while only gender predicted interest in academic careers by men and nonacademic careers for women.