Christine R. Starr

Do stereotypes about computer scientists being "nerdy geniuses" deter girls and women from pursuing careers in science?

Do people stereotype girls who self-sexualize as not smart enough to do well in math and science?

What can we do to encourage underrepresented students to feel confident in STEM?

My name is Christy Starr, and I get to wake up everyday and pursue research questions like these!

If you're interested in what answers I've found, check out my publications.


Publications

Starr, C. R., Anderson, B. R., Green, K. A. (in press). “I’m a computer scientist!”: Virtual Reality Experience Influences Stereotype Threat and STEM Motivation Among Undergraduate Women. Journal of Science Education and Technology. doi:10.1007/s10956-019-09781-z

Leaper, C. & Starr, C. R. (in press). Helping or hindering undergraduate women’s STEM motivation: Experiences with STEM support, STEM-related gender bias, and sexual harassment. Psychology of Women Quarterly. doi: 10.1177/0361684318806302

Starr, C. R. (2018). “I’m not a Science Nerd!”: STEM Stereotypes, Identity, and Motivation among Undergraduate Women. Psychology of Women Quarterly. doi: 10.1177/0361684318793848

Leaper, C., Farkas, T., & Starr, C.R. (2018). Traditional Masculinity, Help Avoidance, and Intrinsic Interest in Relation to High School Students' English and Math Performance. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. doi: 10.1037/men0000188

Barns, A., Ball, T., Starr, C.R., Seagroves, S., Perez, K., & Hunter, L. (2018). Successfully building a diverse telescope workforce: The design of the Akamai Internship Program in Hawaii. American Society for Engineering Education.

Starr, C. R., & Leaper, C. (2018). Gender. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development, p. 922-927. doi: 10.4135/9781506307633.n344

Starr, C. R. (2017). Mind the Gender Gap: Changing Misconceptions about Gender, Leadership, and Occupational Segregation. Sex Roles, online first. doi: 10.1007/s11199-017-0833-0

Starr, C. R. & Zurbriggen, E. L. (2016). Sandra Bem's gender schema theory after 34 years: A review of its reach and impact. Sex Roles, in press. doi:10.1007/s11199-016-0591-4

Starr, C. R. (2014). An Objective Look at Early Sexualization and the Media: Book Review of Media and The Sexualization of Childhood by Barry Gunter. Sex Roles, 72, 85-87. doi: 10.1007/s11199-014-0422-4

Kondiles, B., Starr, C. R., Larson, E., & Zollman, F. (2014). Method of assessment and symptom reporting post mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine, 3, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/21642850.2014.96671

Zollman, F., Starr, C. R., Kondiles, B., Cyborski, C., & Larson, E. (2014). The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago military Traumatic Brain Injury screening instrument: Determination of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 29(1):99-107.

Larson, E., Kondiles, B., Starr, C. R., & Zollman, F. (2013). Postconcussive complaints, cognition, symptom attribution, and effort among veterans.Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 19, 88-95.

Larson, E., Kondiles, B., Zollman, F., & Starr, C.R.Memory, Postconcussion Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a sample of veterans. Rehabilitation Psychology, 58(3), 245-252.

Starr, C. R. & Ferguson, G. M. (2012). Sexy dolls, sexy gradeschoolers? Media and maternal influences on young girls’ self-sexualization. Sex Roles, 67, 463-476.

About Me

I am a PhD candidate in developmental psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. My two primary research interests are stereotypes and STEM motivation among underrepresented groups (particularly women and girls), and outcome, risk, and protective factors of early sexualization.

My advisor is Dr. Campbell Leaper.

I enjoy hiking, backpacking, playing boardgames, and creating art. I like games and technology. I'm a feminist.