How can research mentors support their Muslim undergraduate mentees?

Research experiences are not only resume-boosters for scientific jobs, but they’re also becoming almost necessary for getting into graduate schools and medical schools. Students’ experiences in these research experiences often depend on their relationship with their research mentor. Students with marginalized identities can struggle to feel understood and respected by their mentors, especially if their mentors don’t share their identities. One group that may particularly struggle with a cultural disconnect from their mentors is Muslim students. Most academic scientists are not religious, and specifically less than 1% of science professors identify as Muslim. This secular culture in academic science may prevent Muslim students from feeling comfortable bringing their religious identity into research spaces.

In a recent essay published in CBE-Life Sciences Education, a research team of Muslim mentees and non-Muslim mentors describe how one can navigate this cultural gap. The research team explains what challenges Muslim students may face in research experiences specific to their religious identity, and they provide recommendations for how research mentors can help make research more inclusive for their Muslim students.

Respecting Islamic modesty

For example, we might think that shaking hands with a prospective mentee is a way to inclusively greet them. However, opposite-gender shaking of hands (or touching in any way) among non-family members is not allowed in Islam, so this practice puts the mentee in an incredibly awkward position as they consider whether they should say something about it to their prospective mentor. How can a mentor be more inclusive? Let mentees (and potential mentees) initiate any kind of contact. At conferences, give participants the choice of wearing stickers that indicate the extent to which they are comfortable with hugging, shaking hands, or just keeping to themselves.

Inclusive food and drink

Food and drink is a near universal feature of social gatherings in academia. Alcohol specifically is often a staple at lab functions, department events, and conferences. However, Islamic law prohibits Muslims from drinking themselves and also discourages them from being in situations around alcohol. If all (or most) social events have alcohol present, then Muslim mentees will either abstain from attending (and miss out on important relationship building and informal mentoring) or go to the event and potentially feel very uncomfortable (which will hurt their ability to build relationships). How can a mentor be more inclusive? Have some social events in the lab itself or on campus that are free from alcohol. Let students know when alcohol will be present so they can make an informed decision. In addition, most Muslims do not eat pork and many Muslims follow halal laws, which means they limit their consumption of meat based on how an animal was slaughtered and avoid eating anything contaminated by non-halal foods. So, providing vegetarian options and/or a halal chicken option is going to be more inclusive for Muslims.

Prioritizing prayer times

Lab meetings and research events are often scheduled around students’ courses and other meetings, but Muslim students have to consider their prayer times as well. Prayer is one of the primary pillars of Islam, and there are five specific times of the day (determined based on the position of the sun, which changes throughout the year) when Muslims are expected to pray. Some students feel comfortable making up their prayers later in the day if they have to miss one, but others feel really strongly about praying at the times specified by the Qur’an. How can a mentor be more inclusive? Talk to Muslim students about their prayer-related needs. Mentees can either ask all new lab members to fill out a survey about themselves and their needs, or they can directly ask their Muslim mentees if and when they need to pray during the work day. Mentors can also avoid scheduling meetings or lab events during prayer times and can help identify a space that is convenient and private for a mentee to pray so that their Muslim students can balance their religious and research responsibilities.

Recognizing Islamic holidays and fasting

Ramadan is a month-long period of reflection, prayer, and fasting. Muslims tend to not eat or drink during daylight throughout this time. Some research practices, like field work, may be particularly difficult for Muslim student researchers while they’re fasting. How can a mentor be more inclusive? Be flexible (or as flexible as possible) and be aware that a student may be more tired, hungry, and thirsty during this time. Avoid scheduling Muslim students’ major research milestones (like a thesis defense) during this time as well to best set them up for success.

Is this new information for you? 

It was for me before reading this. We encourage you to read the essay to learn more so we can make our research more inclusive for all students, including Muslims:

Mohammed, T. F., Aini, R. Q., Barnes, M. E., & Cooper, K. M. (2024). Toward Culturally Responsive Mentoring of Muslim Research Mentees in the Sciences. CBE—Life Sciences Education.

Post Author

Baylee Edwards is a Ph.D. student in the Research for Inclusive STEM Education (RISE) Center at ASU. Her research explores how undergraduate students and instructors perceive the relationship between religion and evolution and how those perceptions impact student experiences in undergraduate biology courses.