Who Do We Think Should Go to the Stars? Using Social Role Theory to Predict Perceived Job Classifications in Space Industry Candidates.

The aerospace industry has long been known for its fast-tempo operations and technological achievement. However, this field has failed to keep pace with implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion research. Previous research has highlighted a formidable environment for women and minorities in other science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields as they confront issues that impede their attainment of high-paying and prestigious positions. The existing research does not investigate public perceptual biases toward the suitability of individuals based on their genders and ethnicities to human space flight roles. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to bridge this knowledge gap by exploring the effects of sex and racial-based biases toward workers in the space industry. Using Social Role Theory as a theoretical foundation, an online card sort study was conducted in which participants assigned specific human space flight jobs to images portraying candidates of varying sex (male or female) and ethnicity (Caucasian, African, Hispanic, or Asian descent). Participant sex, participant age, and participant exposure to aviation were also examined to understand how they might affect job placement. The data from this study supported each of the hypotheses, demonstrating that candidate gender/ethnicity, participant gender, participant age, and prior exposure to aviation do differentially influence job placement. The results of this study provide empirical support for Social Role Theory and provide a foundation for future space organizations, both public and private, to bolster institutional policy, develop new and sustainable practices for hiring and retaining individuals with diverse backgrounds, and ensure fair workplaces.