Lauren Muir
My research is primarily focused on exploring how physics students develop their identities as physicists throughout their studies, with a particular emphasis on undergraduate degree programmes. The formation of a discipline identity is a complex process, influenced by both being recognised by others as a certain ‘sort of person’, as well as the communities of practice students are involved in as part of their studies. On top of this, the influence of traditional physics stereotypes can make it more difficult for students from typically underserved groups to form a sense of identity with physics. Therefore, my work aims to establish a framework to understand the practices and experiences which are most formative in the process of ‘becoming a physicist’, and operationalising this in the context of course evaluation, to ensure all students have opportunities to engage in the authentic practices of physicists and form a professional physicist identity.
In addition to my research activities, I am also the current chair of the Glasgow Women in Physics (GWiP) and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in physics (JEDI) groups, and I sit on the school EDI committee as a PGR representative. I have a keen interest in outreach and have been involved in running workshops for the IOP ‘Girls into Physics’ events, which run across Scotland. I am also involved in laboratory teaching as a GTA in the Physics 2 labs.