December 2021 PMID 34868806

Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of role models in STEM.

Jessica R Gladstone, Andrei Cimpian

Download social card

Mentions

41
Peak: 8 in Dec 2021
across 4 sources since Dec 2021

Extended reach

88,099
potential audience

Total likes

29

Video views

594

Mentions per month

Dec 2021 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • YouTube13 videos
  • News10 articles
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions highlight the significance of role models' features—such as perceived competence and similarity—as central to motivating students, utilizing positive language like 'key for students’ self-efficacy' and 'recommendations.' The tone is generally informative and encouraging, emphasizing the potential for tailored interventions to foster diversity in STEM, demonstrating a balanced interest and recognition of impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of understanding how role models influence STEM motivation and affirm the article's focus on tailoring role model exposure.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with some referencing the systematic review and the general topic of diversity in STEM, but few delve deeply into specific findings.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts vary from simply sharing the article to mentioning related concepts like motivation theory and diversity, indicating some degree of thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The collective tone suggests a recognition of the article's relevance to ongoing efforts in STEM education reform, though without intense advocacy or critique.

Abstract in brief

  • The effectiveness of role models in motivating students in STEM varies depending on factors like the role model’s perceived competence, similarity to students, and the perceived attainability of their success, as well as student characteristics such as gender, race/ethnicity, age, and STEM identification.
  • The systematic review of 55 articles highlights that understanding these variables can help identify which role models work best for different groups of students, aiming to improve STEM motivation and diversification efforts.
  • The authors propose four recommendations to maximize the impact of STEM role models across diverse student backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of tailoring role model exposure to enhance motivation for all students.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Springer Education
@SpringerEdu · X

Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of role models in #STEM #rolemodels #STEMeducation https://t.co/ZXBYhBXByx https://t.co/SuYexqvSks

Dec 6, 2021 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 10,795 followers View post →
Andrei Cimpian
@AndreiCimpian · X

Thanks for the shout-out, @nyuniversity! For anyone interested, the paper is here (open access): https://t.co/GU3JhOFrSC https://t.co/SvBt7z7bkN

Dec 3, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,786 followers View post →
采
@psychama · X

STEMのロールモデルがSTEMの動機づけに与える影響について、ロールモデルや生徒の特徴などに注目したレビュー論文。多様な集団において動機づけを高めるために四つの具体的な提言をした。 【論文】Gladstone & Cimpian (2021) IJ STEM Ed https://t.co/muCE13ONOd

Dec 5, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 915 followers View post →
Robert Young Pelton
@RYP__ · X

"the features of a role model that are key for students’ self-efficacy are the perceived competence of the role model, the perceived similarity to the role model, and the perceived attainability of the role model’s success." https://t.co/bFowCl2cSm

Aug 20, 2022 · 3 likes · 43,027 followers View post →
Carol Davenport
@DrDav · X

So part of my #sabbatical was to do a literature review on the use of #RoleModels in #STEM. However, it looks like it's already been done (at least up to 2019)! Really interesting paper, and well worth a read.https://t.co/Otr2CrAxpp https://t.co/BYn6KOKwbi

Oct 3, 2022 · 3 likes · 2,600 followers View post →
Abhishek Saha
@ObhishekSaha · X

10/ The diversificiation/decolonisation of disciplines forms part of this agenda. It is sometimes justified by the motivational theory of role models. A meta-analysis found that enthusiasm for this theory "continues to run ahead of the research." https://t.co/1rZJotzD56

Feb 19, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,210 followers View post →

All mentions

Alka Sehgal Cuthbert
@ASCphiled · X

RT @ObhishekSaha: 10/ The diversificiation/decolonisation of disciplines forms part of this agenda. It is sometimes justified by the motiv…

Feb 20, 2025 · 1 share · 3,900 followers View post →
Abhishek Saha
@ObhishekSaha · X

10/ The diversificiation/decolonisation of disciplines forms part of this agenda. It is sometimes justified by the motivational theory of role models. A meta-analysis found that enthusiasm for this theory "continues to run ahead of the research." https://t.co/1rZJotzD56

Feb 19, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,210 followers View post →
Cintia Refojo
@DesayunoDudas · X

@marianantonnana @mujerconciencia @GeneroyCom @Zientzia ¿Te refieres al estudio? No hay una definición, es un meta-análisis de diversos estudios, se contextualiza en la influencia de los estereotipos de género en la motivación STEM del alumnado. https://t.co/j45PmKuwVq

Mar 27, 2023 · 2,899 followers View post →
Francisco P. Flores-Taipe
@FrancoPF · X

@a_peterman @danilaserra_eco Glad it was helpful. You might also want to check this review by Gladstone and @AndreiCimpian https://t.co/wEvDurwIH7 All the best with the program.

Oct 27, 2022 · 1 like · 527 followers View post →
Carol Davenport
@DrDav · X

So part of my #sabbatical was to do a literature review on the use of #RoleModels in #STEM. However, it looks like it's already been done (at least up to 2019)! Really interesting paper, and well worth a read.https://t.co/Otr2CrAxpp https://t.co/BYn6KOKwbi

Oct 3, 2022 · 3 likes · 2,600 followers View post →
Robert Young Pelton
@RYP__ · X

"the features of a role model that are key for students’ self-efficacy are the perceived competence of the role model, the perceived similarity to the role model, and the perceived attainability of the role model’s success." https://t.co/bFowCl2cSm

Aug 20, 2022 · 3 likes · 43,027 followers View post →
Ciencia de la Comunicación Científica
@SciComm_ES · X

Feb 15, 2022 · 1 like · 4,414 followers View post →
Rebecca Stone
@Rebecca47537791 · X

How can we make STEM education appeal to everyone? http://strmeducationjournal.springs https://t.co/6PmViETmR7

Jan 11, 2022 · 1 like · 15 followers View post →
Jessica Gladstone
@J_Gladstone7 · X

@LOrealUSA Love that you're looking for female STEM role models! Here is an article w/recommendations for STEM role models if you are interested: https://t.co/S4KbYe1TGT https://t.co/muR2faXMgR

Dec 10, 2021 · 1,079 followers View post →
Springer Education
@SpringerEdu · X

RT @SpringerEdu: Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effect…

Dec 8, 2021 · 2 shares · 10,795 followers View post →
Shapalis_Malgo
@AlyMousa13 · X

RT @SpringerEdu: Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effect…

Dec 6, 2021 · 2 shares · 201 followers View post →
Springer Education
@SpringerEdu · X

Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of role models in #STEM #rolemodels #STEMeducation https://t.co/ZXBYhBXByx https://t.co/SuYexqvSks

Dec 6, 2021 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 10,795 followers View post →
采
@psychama · X

STEMのロールモデルがSTEMの動機づけに与える影響について、ロールモデルや生徒の特徴などに注目したレビュー論文。多様な集団において動機づけを高めるために四つの具体的な提言をした。 【論文】Gladstone & Cimpian (2021) IJ STEM Ed https://t.co/muCE13ONOd

Dec 5, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 915 followers View post →
Ike Usawa
@IkeUsawa · X

An analysis of the effect role models have on students' #motivation in studying #STEM subjects points to new ways to deploy these #leaders in order to encourage #learning across different populations. https://t.co/tdepDEShZY #innovation https://t.co/yY661t2TX1

Dec 3, 2021 · 384 followers View post →
Elihu Aranday-Cortes
@ElihuAranday · X

You can't be what you can't see. Diversifying #STEMeducation: 4 recommendations designed to ensure that #STEM role models are motivating for students of all backgrounds & demographics

Dec 3, 2021 · 944 followers View post →
Andrei Cimpian
@AndreiCimpian · X

Thanks for the shout-out, @nyuniversity! For anyone interested, the paper is here (open access): https://t.co/GU3JhOFrSC https://t.co/SvBt7z7bkN

Dec 3, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,786 followers View post →