RUME 28
2026
Alexandria, Virginia
Beyond a Single Name: PVEST and Intersectionality in Multilingual Women’s Identity Formation in a U.S. Mathematics Ph.D. Program
Page: 721
The experiences of multilingual women in U.S. mathematics Ph.D. programs are shaped by intersections of language, race, gender, and nationality. This narrative inquiry examines the identity formation of three women from Korea, Colombia, and Mexico, employing a combined framework of intersectionality and Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST). Findings identify three distinct pathways: the carryover of prior gendered invalidation, leading to impostor syndrome despite high commitment; context-dependent coping across bilingual ecologies; and the consolidation of an advocacy identity in a more protective environment. Theoretically, the study extends PVEST to Asian and Latin populations and clarifies a dual-function coping mechanism where strategies can be both adaptive and costly. Findings call for strengthening protective factors and identity-inclusive instructional designs in mathematics education to support this growing student population.