The Unique Challenges of Religious Graduate Students in Science
It’s commonly assumed that scientists and religious people are two entirely different groups. However, countless social stereotypes perpetuate this false narrative. For example, consider the famous television show “The Big Bang Theory,” featuring friends with advanced degrees in the sciences. The main character, Sheldon, is a dismissive physicist, while his devout Christian mother embodies a stark contrast to his demeanor and worldviews. Scenes like these perpetuate the idea that science and religion not only differ significantly but are also in a constant state of conflict.
Yet, these assumptions don’t reflect the views of the larger U.S. public. Surprisingly, social scientists have found that most people don’t view science and religion as inherently conflicting. When conflict does arise, it’s usually not due to the facts themselves, but rather because of religious individuals’ moral objections to scientific research or a perceived encroachment of science into policymaking.
In reality, many scientists are religious themselves, proving that the assumed clash between faith and science isn’t always the case. High-profile examples include Francis Collins, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, who has been open about his Christian faith.
However, amidst the coexistence of science and religion, it’s also important to highlight the challenges that religious people face within scientific environments. One study surveyed graduate students majoring in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology, uncovering myriad challenges that religious graduate students in these fields face, which are often overlooked.
Shockingly, the study found that nearly a quarter of graduate students in science identify as religious, despite the widely held perception that scientists are overwhelmingly non-religious. However, these religious students encounter distinct cultural challenges within their academic environment. Many religious students described an atmosphere that assumed everyone in a lab or classroom is atheist, allowing hostility toward religion and religious individuals to surface.
Unimaginably, the same survey found that religious graduate students often felt pressured to camouflage their religious identity due to the negative attitudes toward religion within their discipline. They also reported facing both subtle and overt forms of hostility from their non-religious peers and professors. These challenges can create a hostile and unwelcoming environment for graduate students trying to navigate their academic and personal lives and could potentially violate anti-discrimination and harassment laws.
On the other hand, the study also discovered that religious graduate students have a higher tendency to value family, often leading to difficulties balancing their family lives and academic careers. Moreover, religious students are indeed more likely to have children during their academic pursuits, which affects their career prospects and choices, highlighting the existence of family life obstacles for these students, often called the “two-body problem.”
Religion is inadequately acknowledged as a diversity dimension in scientific circles. Yet, religious diversity reflects gender and racial diversity within the scientific community, with female and Black students being significantly more likely to identify as religious compared to male and white students. By ignoring religion as a dimension of diversity, the scientific community risks undermining efforts to support other forms of diversity.
Embracing religious diversity in science can bring numerous benefits. Religious scientists tend to deeply value family and work-life balance, prompting them to advocate for changes that improve conditions for all scientists. They can also serve as ambassadors, bridging the gap between scientific and religious communities effectively.
At its core, the active inclusion of religious diversity can lead to greater diversity and harmony among scientists, ultimately benefiting the entire scientific community and furthering scientific innovation.
This article was republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.
