Amanda Koontz Anthony is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida. Her research specializations include qualitative methods, social inequalities (race, gender, class), social theory, culture, and identity development.
Dr. Anthony’s STEM education research interests are focused in addressing issues of diversity in STEM fields. She looks to do so by examining individuals’ definitions of their aspirations, leadership types, and success to help clarify how cultural factors (diversity, authenticity) intersect with institutional and field-specific factors to influence experiences and retention. A second and related area includes examining the extent to which concepts of “helping” others is integrated into students’ definitions of leadership and in turn how this is connected with their perceptions of STEM fields and science identities.