Identidades y desafíos: El síndrome del impostor en mujeres científicas chilenas

Impostor syndrome (IS) is a psychological phenomenon characterized by a self-perception of fraudulence and persistent doubt about one’s own abilities, despite demonstrated achievements. In academic contexts, this syndrome can affect professional development, self-esteem, and well-being. However, its impact on women scientists remains underexplored, particularly in the Chilean context. This study aims to analyze how impostor syndrome influences work identity and career trajectories among Chilean women scientists. Using a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, the study examines the tensions between institutional expectations and personal perceptions of inadequacy. The findings reveal two main analytical categories. The first, “self-imposed excellence and the precarization of recognition,” describes the construction of a scientific identity shaped by extreme self-demands and the constant pursuit of external validation. The second category, “the woman available 24/7,” is characterized by hyper-availability in academic work and a feminized workload. This category also highlights the unequal distribution of academic tasks, whereby women scientists disproportionately assume undervalued teaching and administrative responsibilities, negatively affecting their emotional well-being and constraining their professional development. The study underscores the need to transform institutional norms in order to foster more equitable and sustainable working environments in science.