Androcentrism in the scientific field: Brazilian systems of graduate studies, science and technology as a case study

Areas, Roberta; Abreu, Alice Rangel de Paiva; Nobre, Carlos A.; Barbosa, Márcia C.; Santana, A. E.

doi:10.1590/0001-3765202320211629

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…As Kiss et al (2007) point out, female scientists work in alien and adverse spaces. As indicated by several studies ( Acker, 1990 ; Martínez Labrín, 2012 ; O’Connor et al, 2015 ; Arêas et al, 2023 ), scientists and general population discourses about science are androcentric as everyday relationships in the contemporary academic culture. These androcentric discourses and relations tend to (re)produce the preponderant gender stereotypes in society in at least two ways.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender heterophily and equality: a contribution to gender equality in the Chilean scientific sector

Espinosa-Cristia,

Vega-Muñoz,

Cerda-Suarez

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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Women’s insertion or consolidation in science has been thoroughly researched. Such discussion could be particularly relevant concerning sustainable development goal five (SDG 5) on Gender Equality advancement. However, the debate is focused on women percentages inserted into scientific labor, leaving the issue of symbolic experience for women in research unaddressed and with little empirical support. The data come from a survey developed under a FONDECYT project, which studied knowledge production in Chile. Researchers obtained contacts through invitations on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and databases containing scientists’ emails working in Chile. The non-probabilistic sample collected 583 cases, with participants residing in 15 of the 16 country regions. As a result, this document presents the findings of a study on symbolic experience using an instrument to determine whether there are any homophily patterns. It aims to determine if scientists tend to cite others as referents only when they encounter a situation like their own. The findings reveal a clear way scientists estimate the effect of others in terms of their gender homophily. This intervening factor could be crucial in reproducing the disparities and asymmetries that characterize Chile’s scientific field.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender heterophily and equality: a contribution to gender equality in the Chilean scientific sector

Espinosa-Cristia,

Vega-Muñoz,

Cerda-Suarez

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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A critical reflection on internationalizing gender equality certification: the case of Brazilian academia

Tzanakou,

Infanger,

Oliveira

et al. 2024

EDI

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PurposeInternationalisation in higher education (HE) has always been romanticised and idealised but there has been limited focus on the internationalisation of gender equality and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) certification and the role of international partnerships. Certification and Award Schemes (CAS), such as the Athena Swan Charter, can promote gender equality, best practices exchanges and foster institutional changes. Nevertheless, simply transferring strategies or frameworks without careful consideration of the nuances of the destination context can inadvertently lead to the perpetuation or exacerbation of gender inequalities and reproduce hierarchical relations between the Global South and North. Brazil's cultural and political context highlights the need for adapting the CAS framework to align with the unique conditions of the country, as well as institutional transformations in order to accommodate such a framework. This study aims to critically explore how gender equality and EDI certification can be internationalised in the Global South and how international partnerships can play a role in this process.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on a collaborative UK–Brazil funded project on advancing gender equality in Brazilian academia, we critically reflect on the assumptions of the funding call for operationalising international collaborations, and how we built solidarity – informed by our positionalities – against underlying colonial patterns. As part of our partnership, we were consulted to provide feedback on the introduction of an Athena SWAN framework in Brazil. We reflect on how the Athena Swan framework was “internationalised” in Brazil, especially in relation to its focus, the challenges of implementing gender equality and EDI efforts and the conditions required for such efforts to be meaningful in the Brazilian context. Thus, we assess and critically reflect on the current situation in Brazil, the role that certification can play for EDI and which conditions are required to enact change. In addition, we reflect on our positionalities and working practices as part of this collaboration as feminist researchers from different disciplinary and geographical backgrounds.FindingsWe trace colonial logics in the operationalisation of the funding scheme on setting international collaborations valorising the UK system and reinforcing geopolitical production of knowledge hierarchies between the Global North and Global South. Furthermore, reflecting on the Brazilian political, cultural context with a focus on HE we find similar challenges – to the UK – in implementing gender and EDI efforts. However, there are particular nuances in the Brazilian context that exacerbate these obstacles and make the implementation of an EDI certification framework in Brazil particularly challenging. Overcoming these barriers requires a collective effort from government, funding bodies, scientific associations and HE institutions, for the implementation of impactful and sustainable initiatives beyond mere rhetoric. Finally, while we had a positive collaboration, we felt ambivalent towards certain dimensions of the way the partnerships and the EDI internationalisation were operationalised.Practical implicationsWe provide insights and practical recommendations that enhance the understanding of the issues surrounding the implementation of EDI efforts internationally such as CAS in the Brazilian context.Social implicationsReflecting on the internationalisation of EDI can lead to more tailored context-sensitive frameworks and activities that have the potential to influence societal attitudes and expectations towards gender roles and inclusivity, contributing to a more equitable and just society at large. It also touches upon the dynamics of international partnerships and collaborations across different contexts that can have implications for how such partnerships should be developed and funded beyond a mainstream colonial approach of “mentoring less advanced institutions”.Originality/valueWe reflect and critically discuss the internationalisation of EDI certification in HE and the role of international collaborations towards this process, a topic that has not been often examined within the literature on the internationalisation of HE as a romanticised and positive discourse. From our experience, we explore how such efforts can bring up ambivalence in the way they are operationalised and have the potential to both reinforce and disrupt colonial hierarchies.

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Androcentrism in the scientific field: Brazilian systems of graduate studies, science and technology as a case study

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Gender heterophily and equality: a contribution to gender equality in the Chilean scientific sector

Gender heterophily and equality: a contribution to gender equality in the Chilean scientific sector

A critical reflection on internationalizing gender equality certification: the case of Brazilian academia

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