I've been researching the diversity of characters with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) expertise in popular movies.
I've identified 500+ characters in 172 films
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
I've identified 500+ characters in 172 films
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The films are among the top 300 domestic box office earners, adjusted for inflation (sold the most tickets).
Some are less popular, but were in my home video collection or within a popular franchise: 007, Godzilla, King Kong, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, ...
boxd.it/1XylK
Some are less popular, but were in my home video collection or within a popular franchise: 007, Godzilla, King Kong, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, ...
boxd.it/1XylK
The STEM characters are not necessarily research scientists or academics. Sometimes they are a technical whiz whose skill features in the plot.
This thread will highlight some of the main characters from the most popular films.
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
This thread will highlight some of the main characters from the most popular films.
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Luke Skywalker (Protagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able/Amputee
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able/Amputee
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Anakin Skywalker (Protagonist/Antagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (1999)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Able/Amputee, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (1999)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Able/Amputee, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rey (Protagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Han Solo (Protagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Chewbacca (Protagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, Alien (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (1977)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, Alien (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rose Tico (Protagonist)
Star Wars Franchise (2017)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Female, East Asian, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Wars Franchise (2017)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Female, East Asian, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Galen Erso (Protagonist)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
E.T. (Protagonist)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
STEM Expertise: Botany
Unknown Sex/Gender/Orientation, Alien, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
STEM Expertise: Botany
Unknown Sex/Gender/Orientation, Alien, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Keys (Antagonist)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Matt Hooper (Protagonist)
Jaws (1975)
STEM Expertise: Oceanography
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jaws (1975)
STEM Expertise: Oceanography
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Grace Augustine (Protagonist)
Avatar (2009)
STEM Expertise: Botany, Bioengineering, Xenoanthropology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Avatar (2009)
STEM Expertise: Botany, Bioengineering, Xenoanthropology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Norm Spellman (Protagonist)
Avatar (2009)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering, Xenoanthropology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Avatar (2009)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering, Xenoanthropology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Tony Stark (Protagonist)
Iron Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2008)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2008)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Yinsen (Protagonist)
Iron Man (2008)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, Middle Eastern, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man (2008)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, Middle Eastern, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Bruce Banner (Protagonist)
The Incredible Hulk (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2008)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Incredible Hulk (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2008)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ivan Vanko (Antagonist)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man 2 (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Howard Stark (Protagonist)
Iron Man 2 (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man 2 (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Jane Foster (Protagonist)
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Erik Selvig (Protagonist)
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Abraham Erskine (Protagonist)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Arnim Zola (Antagonist)
Captain America: The First Avenger (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Physics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Captain America: The First Avenger (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2011)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Physics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Aldrich Killian (Antagonist)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Male, White, Limps then Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man 3 (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Male, White, Limps then Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Maya Hansen (Antagonist)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Iron Man 3 (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rocket (Protagonist)
Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Alien (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Alien (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Helen Cho (Protagonist)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Medicine
Female, East Asian, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Medicine
Female, East Asian, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Hank Pym (Protagonist)
Ant-Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2015)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ant-Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2015)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Daren Cross (Protagonist)
Ant-Man (2015)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ant-Man (2015)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Peter Parker (Protagonist)
Captain America: Civil War (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Captain America: Civil War (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Stephen Strange (Protagonist)
Dr. Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Nerve-damage/Hand Tremors
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Nerve-damage/Hand Tremors
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Phineas Mason/The Tinkerer (Antagonist)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Shuri (Protagonist)
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology, Technology, Engineering
Female, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology, Technology, Engineering
Female, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Janet Van Dyne (Protagonist)
Ant-Man & The Wasp (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ant-Man & The Wasp (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Bill Foster (Protagonist/Antagonist)
Ant-Man & The Wasp (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology, Chemistry
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ant-Man & The Wasp (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology, Chemistry
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Mar-Vell/Dr. Wendy Lawson (Protagonist)
Captain Marvel (2019)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Captain Marvel (2019)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Quentin Beck/Mysterio (Antagonist)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hope Van Dyne (Protagonist)
Ant-Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ant-Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe; 2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Alan Grant (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Ellie Sattler (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Paleobotany
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Paleobotany
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Ian Malcolm (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dennis Nedry (Antagonist)
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Henry Wu (Protagonist/Antagonist)
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park Franchise (1993)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ray Arnold (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Lex Murphy (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park (1993)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Sarah Harding (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park II: The Lost World (1995)
STEM Expertise: Ethology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park II: The Lost World (1995)
STEM Expertise: Ethology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Robert Burke (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park II: The Lost World (1995)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park II: The Lost World (1995)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Billy Brennan (Protagonist)
Jurassic Park III (2001)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic Park III (2001)
STEM Expertise: Paleontology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Owen Grady (Protagonist)
Jurassic World Franchise (2015)
STEM Expertise: Ethology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic World Franchise (2015)
STEM Expertise: Ethology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Benjamin Lockwood (Protagonist)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Wheelchair-bound
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Wheelchair-bound
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Zia Rodriguez (Protagonist)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Veterinary Medicine
Female, Latine, Homosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Veterinary Medicine
Female, Latine, Homosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Franklin Webb (Protagonist)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
STEM Expertise: Technology
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr. (Protagonist)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones Franchise; 1981)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones Franchise; 1981)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Rene Belloq (Antagonist)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Irina Spalko (Antagonist)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Harold Oxley (Protagonist)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Q (Protagonist)
Dr. No (James Bond 007 Franchise; 1962)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. No (James Bond 007 Franchise; 1962)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Antagonist)
From Russia With Love (James Bond 007 Franchise; 1963)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
From Russia With Love (James Bond 007 Franchise; 1963)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Lucius Fox (Protagonist)
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow (Antagonist)
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005)
STEM Expertise: Psychopharmacology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005)
STEM Expertise: Psychopharmacology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Peter Venkman (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Raymond Stantz (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Egon Spengler (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Walter Peck (Antagonist)
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Environmental Science
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (1984)
STEM Expertise: Environmental Science
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (Antagonist)
Spider-Man (2002)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Spider-Man (2002)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Otto Octavius/Doc Oc (Antagonist)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
STEM Expertise (Physics, Engineering)
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
STEM Expertise (Physics, Engineering)
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
David Levinson (Protagonist)
Independence Day (1996)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Independence Day (1996)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Brackish Okun (Protagonist)
Independence Day (1996)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Independence Day (1996)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Edna Mode (Protagonist)
The Incredibles (Franchise; 2004)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Technology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Incredibles (Franchise; 2004)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Technology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Buddy Pine/IncrediBoy/Syndrome (Antagonist)
The Incredibles (2004)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Incredibles (2004)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Evelyn Deavor/Screenslavor (Antagonist)
Incredibles 2 (2018)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Technology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Incredibles 2 (2018)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Technology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Protagonist)
Batman (Franchise; 1989)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Batman (Franchise; 1989)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jack Napier/The Joker (Antagonist)
Batman (1989)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Male, White, Heterosexual, Mood Disorder
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Batman (1989)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Male, White, Heterosexual, Mood Disorder
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Edward Nigma (Antagonist)
Batman Forever (1995)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Batman Forever (1995)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Chase Meridian (Protagonist)
Batman Forever (1995)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Batman Forever (1995)
STEM Expertise: Psychology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Emmet Brown (Protagonist)
Back to the Future Franchise (1985)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Back to the Future Franchise (1985)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jor-El (Protagonist)
Superman (1978)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Superman (1978)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Lex Luthor (Antagonist)
Superman (Franchise; 1978)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Superman (Franchise; 1978)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Claude Lacombe (Protagonist)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Antagonist)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
Male Transvestite, White, Bisexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
Male Transvestite, White, Bisexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Everett V. Scott (Protagonist)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male Transvestite, White, Wheel-Chair-Bound
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male Transvestite, White, Wheel-Chair-Bound
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Jo Harding (Protagonist)
Twister (1996)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Twister (1996)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Bill Harding (Protagonist)
Twister (1996)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Twister (1996)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Beetee Latier (Protagonist)
The Hunger Games Franchise (2013)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Hunger Games Franchise (2013)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Miles Bennett Dyson (Protagonist)
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Computer Science
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Computer Science
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Gru (Protagonist)
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Nefario (Protagonist)
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Age-related hearing loss
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Age-related hearing loss
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Victor “Vector” Perkins (Antagonist)
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Despicable Me (2010)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Neo (Protagonist)
The Matrix (1999)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Matrix (1999)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Trinity (Protagonist)
The Matrix (1999)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Matrix (1999)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Isabel Maru/Dr. Poison (Antagonist)
Wonder Woman (2017)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Female, White, Facial Disfigurement
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Wonder Woman (2017)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Female, White, Facial Disfigurement
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Protagonist)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
STEM Expertise: Medicine, Bioengineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Young Frankenstein (1974)
STEM Expertise: Medicine, Bioengineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. David Bowman (Protagonist)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Frank Poole (Protagonist)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Astronomy, Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Astronomy, Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Heywood Floyd (Protagonist)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Space Science, Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
STEM Expertise: Space Science, Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Rockhound (Protagonist)
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Geology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Geology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dan Truman (Protagonist)
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Col. Willie Sharp (Protagonist)
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Armageddon (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Francis Freeman/Ajax (Antagonist)
Deadpool (2016)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Genetics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Deadpool (2016)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Genetics
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ramsey (Protagonist)
Furious 7 (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Furious 7 (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Luther Stickell (Protagonist)
Mission: Impossible (Franchise; 1996)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Mission: Impossible (Franchise; 1996)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Evil (Antagonist)
Austin Powers Franchise (1997)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Austin Powers Franchise (1997)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering, Technology
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Johan van der Smut (Antagonist)
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
White, Male, Bisexual?, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
White, Male, Bisexual?, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jim Lovell (Protagonist)
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Fred Haise (Protagonist)
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jack Swigert (Protagonist)
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Gene Kranz (Protagonist)
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ken Mattingly (Protagonist)
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Apollo 13 (1995)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Engineering
White, Male, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Lex Luthor (Antagonist)
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (DCEU Franchise; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
White, Male, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (DCEU Franchise; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
White, Male, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Jor-El (Protagonist)
Man of Steel (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Man of Steel (2013)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Alfred Pennyworth (Protagonist)
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (DCEU Franchise; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
White, Male, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (DCEU Franchise; 2016)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
White, Male, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
June Moone/The Enchantress (Protagonist/Antagonist)
Suicide Squad (2016)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
White, Female, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Suicide Squad (2016)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
White, Female, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Lt. Col. Robert Neville (Protagonist)
I Am Legend (2007)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
I Am Legend (2007)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Charles Xavier (Protagonist)
X-Men Franchise (2000)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, White, Paraplegic, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
X-Men Franchise (2000)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Male, White, Paraplegic, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jean Grey (Protagonist)
X-Men Franchise (2000)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Able, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
X-Men Franchise (2000)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Able, Heterosexual
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
William Striker (Antagonist)
X-2: X-Men United (X-Men Franchise; 2003)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
X-2: X-Men United (X-Men Franchise; 2003)
STEM Expertise: Bioengineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Hank McCoy/Beast (Protagonist)
X-Men Franchise (2006)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics, Engineering
Male, White/Beast, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
X-Men Franchise (2006)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics, Engineering
Male, White/Beast, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Spock (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Leonard McCoy (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Montgomery Scott (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Pavel Chekov (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline Franchise; 2009)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Spock (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime/Kelvin Timeline Franchises; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime/Kelvin Timeline Franchises; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
William Decker (Protagonist)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Leonard McCoy (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Montgomery Scott (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1979)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Lt. Saavik (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1982)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Female, Alien (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1982)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Female, Alien (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Carol Marcus (Protagonist)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
David Marcus (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1982)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1982)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Biology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Gillian Taylor (Protagonist)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
STEM Expertise: Marine Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
STEM Expertise: Marine Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Data (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Android (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Android (White Actor), Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Geordi Laforge (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Blind
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Blind
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Beverly Crusher (Protagonist)
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Star Trek (Prime Timeline Franchise; 1994)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Zefram Cochrane (Protagonist)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Lily Sloane (Protagonist)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Female, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Female, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Glen Whitmann (Protagonist)
Transformers (2007)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Transformers (2007)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Bolivar Trask (Antagonist)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics, Engineering
Male, White, Dwarfism
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics, Engineering
Male, White, Dwarfism
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Kavita Rao (Antagonist)
X-Men 3 (2006)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, South Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
X-Men 3 (2006)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, South Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Peter Parker (Protagonist)
The Amazing Spider-man (Franchise; 2012)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Amazing Spider-man (Franchise; 2012)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Gwen Stacy (Protagonist)
The Amazing Spider-man (Franchise; 2012)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
The Amazing Spider-man (Franchise; 2012)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Curt Conners (Antagonist)
The Amazing Spider-man (2012)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry
Male, White, Amputee
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Amazing Spider-man (2012)
STEM Expertise: Biochemistry
Male, White, Amputee
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ryan Stone (Protagonist)
Gravity (2013)
STEM Expertise: Medicine, Engineering, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Gravity (2013)
STEM Expertise: Medicine, Engineering, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Matt Kowalski (Protagonist)
Gravity (2013)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Gravity (2013)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Basher Tarr (Protagonist)
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Munitions, Technology
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Munitions, Technology
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
#RepresentationMatters
Livingston Dell (Protagonist)
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Technology
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Virgil Malloy (Protagonist)
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ocean’s Eleven (Franchise; 2001)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Leo Davidson (Protagonist)
Planet of the Apes (2001)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Animal Behavior
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Planet of the Apes (2001)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics, Animal Behavior
Male, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Ash (Antagonist)
Alien (1979)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Android (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Alien (1979)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Android (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
That was a sample of the 238 characters with STEM expertise in the top 300 domestic box office earning films of all time (adjusted for inflation; including franchise films). Next, I'll highlight some noteworthy characters from films in my database with a smaller box office haul.
John Nash (Protagonist)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
STEM Expertise: Mathemantics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Schizophrenia
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
STEM Expertise: Mathemantics
Male, White, Heterosexual, Schizophrenia
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Alicia Nash (Protagonist)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Andrea Baker (Protagonist)
Deep Impact (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Deep Impact (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Mark Simon (Protagonist)
Deep Impact (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Deep Impact (1998)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Susan Calvin (Protagonist)
I, Robot (2004)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
I, Robot (2004)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Catherine Boyd (Protagonist)
I.Q. (1994)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
I.Q. (1994)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Samantha “Sam” Sparks (Protagonist)
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009)
STEM Expertise: Meteorology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Elizabeth Shaw (Protagonist)
Prometheus (2012)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Prometheus (2012)
STEM Expertise: Archeology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Amy Barnes (Protagonist)
Volcano (1997)
STEM Expertise: Geology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Volcano (1997)
STEM Expertise: Geology
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (Protagonist)
The Muppet Movie (1979)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Muppet (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
The Muppet Movie (1979)
STEM Expertise: “Science”
Male, Muppet (White Actor), Able
#STEMinFilm
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Ellie Arroway (Protagonist)
Contact (1997)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Contact (1997)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dr. Kent Clark (Protagonist)
Contact (1997)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, White, Blind
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Contact (1997)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, White, Blind
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dana Scully (Protagonist)
X-Files (Franchise; 1998)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
X-Files (Franchise; 1998)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Josie Radek (Protagonist)
Annihilation (2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, Black Latine, Mental Disorder
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Annihilation (2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, Black Latine, Mental Disorder
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Anya Thorensen (Protagonist/Antagonist)
Annihilation (2018)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, Latine, Lesbian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Annihilation (2018)
STEM Expertise: Medicine
Female, Latine, Lesbian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hiro Hamada (Protagonist)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Technology
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Technology
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Tadashi Hamada (Protagonist)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Medicine
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Robotics, Medicine
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Go Go (Protagonist)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Female, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Female, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Wasabi (Protagonist)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Engineering
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Honey Lemon (Protagonist)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Big Hero 6 (2014)
STEM Expertise: Chemistry
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Erin Gilbert (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Abby Yates (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jillian Holtzmann (Protagonist)
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Nuclear Engineering
Female, White, Lesbian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Ghostbusters (2016)
STEM Expertise: Nuclear Engineering
Female, White, Lesbian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Katherine G. Johnson (Protagonist)
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Dorothy Vaughan (Protagonist)
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Mary Jackson (Protagonist)
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hidden Figures (2016)
STEM Expertise: Engineering, Mathematics
Female, Black, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Betty Ross (Protagonist)
Hulk (2003)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Hulk (2003)
STEM Expertise: Biophysics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Betty Ross (Protagonist)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
STEM Expertise: Biology
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Amelia Brand (Protagonist)
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Biology, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Murphy Cooper (Protagonist)
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Romilly (Protagonist)
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Astronautics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Interstellar (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Astronautics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Olivia Octavius/Dr. Octopus (Antagonist)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)
STEM Expertise: Physics, Engineering
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Jaime Escalante (Protagonist)
Stand and Deliver (1988)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Male, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Stand and Deliver (1988)
STEM Expertise: Mathematics
Male, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Vincent Kapoor (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Melissa Lewis (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rick Martinez (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astronautics
Male, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Beth Johanssen (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science, Astronautics
Female, White, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Mindy Park (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Mission Control
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Technology, Mission Control
Female, White, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Bruce Ng (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Engineering
Male, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Rich Purnell (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Astrophysics
Male, Black, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Tim Grimes (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Middle Eastern, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Computer Science
Male, Middle Eastern, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Zhu Tao (Protagonist)
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Space Science
Female, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Martian (2015)
STEM Expertise: Space Science
Female, East Asian, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Sue Storm (Protagonist)
Fantastic Four (Franchise; 2005)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Female, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Fantastic Four (Franchise; 2005)
STEM Expertise: Genetics
Female, Latine, Heterosexual, Able
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Stephen Hawking (Protagonist)
The Theory of Everything (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Male, White, Heterosexual, ALS
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
The Theory of Everything (2014)
STEM Expertise: Physics
Male, White, Heterosexual, ALS
#STEMinFilm
#RepresentationMatters
#STEMRoleModels
Over the next few days, I’ll dig into the full data. Let’s start with the basics...
Film Genres:
STEM characters are most commonly featured in Science Fiction, followed by Action/Adventure (especially superhero and spy subgenres). Dramas are dominated by the historical drama subgenre: biopics & films about NASA’s human spaceflight program in the 1960s.
STEM characters are most commonly featured in Science Fiction, followed by Action/Adventure (especially superhero and spy subgenres). Dramas are dominated by the historical drama subgenre: biopics & films about NASA’s human spaceflight program in the 1960s.
The most common STEM expertises are Engineering, Astronautics, Physics, & Technology. Many characters have non-specific fields of expertise, which I labelled as “science.” 27% have multiple expertises; an unrealistic film trope. Most STEM experts specialize in a single field.
STEM characters are male by a 7:2 ratio over females. I found no examples of explicitly transgendered people. Even non-human characters are coded male/female. Only 1 (E.T.) was coded with no gender; although characters in the film refer to E.T. with male pronouns: he/him/his.
Most films lack explicit portrayal of the characters’ race or ethnicity (or the difference between them), apart from their appearance. 81% of STEM characters are White, followed by Black (7.3%), East Asian (4.5%), and non-human characters (3.1 %, all portrayed by white actors).
Latine* and South Asian STEM characters are only 1.4% of those surveyed. There are 3 characters who are Middle-Eastern, 3 of mixed race/ethnicity, and 1 Pacific Islander.
*I use Latine over Latinx out of personal preference.
*I use Latine over Latinx out of personal preference.
Gender disparity is strong in all ethnicities and the race/ethnicity disparity exists for both genders in similar proportions. Latine STEM characters (especially Latinas) are the most under-represented in popular films (Latines make up 18.3% of the current U.S. population).
Sexual Orientation isn’t a primary trait for most STEM characters in popular films. I only coded characters with a definitive orientation if it is made explicit in the film. For those with known orientation, heterosexuality is disproportionately represented by a margin of ~5:1.
We see similar proportions when examining only main and supporting characters. Notice that we do not know the sexuality of 61% of the male characters compared to 46% of the female characters. We are more likely to know a woman's sexuality than a man's.
Most STEM character portrayals are positive. Protagonists significantly outnumber antagonists for every race/ethnicity. Latine characters are most likely to be antagonists (though the small number of characters--8 of 576--doesn’t provide much statistical significance).
Comparing the number of white men in each decade shows that their representation is steadily declining, reaching 55% of all STEM characters in the last 10 years of films. This is still over-representation, given that White males currently make up about 30% of the U.S. population.
The number of non-White STEM characters (male and female) has been steadily increasing with time. It is at nearly 24% for the current decade. This is still under-represented by almost half. The # of films before 1960 is relatively small and are all included in the 1960s count.
Looking at the data for only main and supporting STEM characters we see that the overwhelming number are able. I had to make this judgement based on appearance, because invisible disability (physical and mental) was not often an explicit or implicit trait of the characters.
Comparing film data to that of real physicists:
Over 2014-2016, the ethnic mix of physics PhDs earned in the USA was 87% White, 6% Asian, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American, 1% Other. Over 2010-2016 ~20% of undergraduate + graduate physics degrees were earned by women. (AIP 2018)
Over 2014-2016, the ethnic mix of physics PhDs earned in the USA was 87% White, 6% Asian, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American, 1% Other. Over 2010-2016 ~20% of undergraduate + graduate physics degrees were earned by women. (AIP 2018)
The demographics for characters in popular films with physics expertise reflects this real-world disparity. However, it under-represents Latines even more severely than the real world.
Lack of diversity of STEM characters in film could reflect real-world disparities: art imitating life. However, the majority of films are science fiction, depicting what could be rather than what is. Why do they imagine worlds where STEM is mostly the realm of straight white men?
My analysis of this survey begins here:
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