I am not a rheologist.

Members of The Society of Rheology (SoR)—from students to fellows—have often uttered the phrase, “I’m not a rheologist, but…” While such comments are frequently lighthearted, self-deprecating, or expressions of humility among scientific peers, they may also reflect our collective experiences related to Impostor Phenomenon (IP).

First described by Clance and Imes in 1978, IP refers to persistent feelings of inadequacy and the fear of being exposed as a “fraud,” despite evident success or competence.[1] These feelings are especially common among high-achieving individuals—such as SoR members—and are associated with heightened anxiety, reduced professional risk-taking, and social isolation.[2] Notably, research shows that IP is more prevalent among individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM, including women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals as well as individuals whose professional paths differ from those of their families, including many first-generation college students.[3,4] Academic environments, particularly graduate and doctoral programs, can intensify these feelings through competitive and high-pressure cultures.[5]

One effective way to counteract IP is to acknowledge and openly discuss it. As Dr. Clance noted, “It’s a phenomenon experienced by many, and remembering that can help normalize it.”[6] In 2023, we received a Rheology Venture Fund award to raise awareness of IP and investigate its prevalence within the SoR community. Our efforts included a presentation to graduate student members at the 2024 Rheology Research Symposium and the administration of a voluntary, anonymous survey in November 2024 (Purdue IRB: 2024-1571).

The survey included demographic and education questions as well as the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), a 20-item assessment that gauges the extent of IP characteristics in individuals.[7,8] Full details on survey design, administration, and data analysis are available here:

We received 151 responses, which were analyzed by Erk and Kaboolian in Spring 2025. CIPS scores were averaged and compared across various groups (e.g., students vs. non-students). Statistical significance was assessed using Welch’s test and Student’s t-test (α = 0.05) and effect sizes were calculated (using Cohen’s d).

Our main finding was that all SoR members have experienced feelings related to IP. The overall average CIPS score was 45 out of 80, indicating a “moderate” level of IP feelings. Distribution across CIPS categories was as follows: 29 respondents in “infrequent IP” feelings (16-32), 52 in “moderate IP” (33-48), 31 in “frequent IP” (49-64) and 18 in “often and intense IP” (65-80). The bolded groups in the accompanying table represent those with higher IP scores. Statistically significant differences were most notable in the Age and Student categories—findings consistent with existing literature. No significant differences were found between SoR members working in industry and those in academia or national laboratories. The charts indicate the aggregated characteristics of our survey respondents.

Survey findings can serve as valuable decision-making tools to guide future actions and initiatives by SoR committees and the broader rheology community. Impostor phenomenon affects a wide range of individuals—over 80% of people report experiencing IP at some point in their lives.[2] One of the most effective ways to manage impostor feelings is to talk about them openly and recognize that these experiences are widely shared. A growing number of articles offer evidence-based strategies for mitigating IP, ranging from cognitive reframing to mentorship and peer support.[8] In some cases, experiences related to IP may even catalyze personal growth and open new avenues for learning.[6]

By recognizing and quantifying impostor phenomenon within our professional community, we hope to open a dialogue among students, mentors, and colleagues in order to foster a more supportive, inclusive environment—one where all rheologists, regardless of title or background, can confidently say: “I am a rheologist.”

Impostor Phenomenon Survey Results

References:

1. Clance, P.R. and Imes, S.A., Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1978. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006
2. Bravata, D. M., et al., Journal of General Internal Medicine, Vol. 35, No. 4, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31848865/
3. Muradoglu, M., et al., Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol. 114, No. 5, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000669
4. Cokley, K., et al. Journal of Counseling Psychology, Vol. 64, No. 2, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000198
5. Tigranyan, S., et al., Training and Education in Professional Psychology, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000321
6. Abramson, A. Monitor on Psychology, Vol. 52, No. 4, 2021. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/cover-impostor-phenomenon
7. Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale. Access at: https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf
8. Mak, K. K. L., et al. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00671