Making Masculinity in Plasma Physics

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse masculinity and experimental practices among plasma physicists. The study is based on ethnographic field work with observations and interviews among experimental plasma physicists in a laboratory in the United States. Through daily practices and hands-on situations, the experimental plasma physicists defined their experimental work as strongly associated with masculinity. Both practices and discourses about working with the experiments were fringed with connotations of a craft, of strength and physical efforts. Together, the practices and discourses were used as marks of identity for the laboratory and for the group of physicists within.

Who does what now? How physics lab instruction impacts student behaviors

“…There is a large gender disparity in representation in the physics community, with men dominating in both rank and number [1]. In studying this, much emphasis in physics education research focuses on gender gaps in performance, such as concept inventories and course grades [2,3].…”

Group roles in unstructured labs show inequitable gender divide

“…The demographic composition of physicists is not representative of the general population, with men overrepresented not only in number but also in high-ranking positions within the physics community [1]. In exploring the underlying mechanisms for this, there has been a large focus in education research on gaps in performance between men and women on concept inventories and course grades [2,3].…”