Faika Tahir

Research Interests: STEM labor market, higher education, migration, intersectionality

Bio: Faika's research focuses on how the career outcomes of international and US-born college graduates differ based on their intersecting identities, especially in STEM fields. Through cross-country comparisons and advanced data analysis, she aims to uncover the intersectional identity influence and shape workforce opportunities.
Originally from Pakistan, Faika holds a master's degree in Sociology and Education. She had the privilege of contributing to several national research initiatives, including the NSF-funded Improving Pathways in the Professoriate for Minority Women in STEM at the School of Education. Currently, she serves as a research lead at the Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery, where she focuses on building inclusive STEM pathways and fostering a supportive community for engineering students.
Faika comes to research with questions shaped by lived experience and a deep commitment to making those experiences visible. Whether mentoring women students in Pakistan or writing about the challenges faced by women of color in STEM, Faika is always seeking ways to make research meaningful, accessible, and transformative. In her rare free moments, she really enjoys getting into mixed media painting, knitting, and sometimes wasting money on DIY projects that don't always turn out as hoped, but it's all part of the adventure!
Google Scholar site