13971: Overcoming the Odds: An Integrative Review of Women’s Experiences in Male-Dominated Occupations (session 26233)

Research about the experiences of women in male-dominated occupations (WMDOs) is vast. However, our understanding is limited by the fragmented and siloed nature of this body of work, which is scattered across separate literatures, and characterized by narrow integration focusing on challenges and/or specific work contexts. This integrative review contributes to our collective understanding of WMDOs by moving the scientific conversation to include strengths and benefits women contribute in MDOs, strategies and interventions that foster positive change, and theoretical perspectives that explain unique contextual dynamics and how these impact women’s careers, as well as their teams and organizations. Based on a thematic and critical analysis of 254 empirical studies, we offer themes from our stated focus areas (i.e., challenges, benefits, strategies, theories), highlight research gaps, and discuss their implications for future research. Keywords: women, career, gender, gender studies, feminist, intersectionality, male-dominated occupations

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