ACE EDI Presents – Introducing the Intruder Paradox: “It’s not imposter syndrome, it’s you don’t want me in the field”

Imposter phenomenon or syndrome is typically framed as a personal problem rooted in low self-esteem or anxiety that an individual must overcome to succeed. Critics argue that this framing overlooks external forces, such as discrimination, that engender feelings of inadequacy. Although the evidence is inconclusive, ample evidence suggests that women disproportionately experience both imposter phenomenon and workplace harms. In this talk, Dr. LaDonna will explore the link between imposter feelings and gender discrimination from the point of view of women physicians and medical trainees. By introducing the Intruder Paradox, this talk will challenge understanding about when women experience self-doubt and when they are told they’re not good enough.

This presentation is part of the ACE EDI Event Series which aims to increase Awareness, Collaboration and Engagement (ACE), and advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) efforts in the Faculty of Science.