What does it mean to say science is gendered?

Abstract

College of the Holy CrossQuestions about the relationship between gender and science have been explored from multiple angles, often in conjunction with the need to account for women's underrepresentation or marginalization in many scientific fields. The articles in this special issue target many kinds of scientific institutions and aspects of scientific inquiry and thus vary in what these articles mean when the term "science" is used. They also focus on a wide range of phenomena and processes in the discussions of what is gendered (i.e., associated with masculinity or femininity) about science and how those elements reflect and affect the situations of women in science and in society. As such work continues, it will be important to not lump together the many meanings of "gendering science" as if these meanings are all equally plausible and consequential. In particular, we should be cautious about reading into apparently gendered patterns of comportment a deeper set of differences between women's and men's ways of conducting or processing scientific (or any intellectual) inquiry. We should be similarly cautious regarding suggestions that there are inherently gendered aspects of scientific knowledge. Public Significance StatementThis commentary highlights the wide range of reasons offered for why women have been underrepresented or marginalized in many scientific fields. It explores how the articles in this special issue propose several different possible ways that scientific institutions and practices might be "gendered." It urges caution regarding suggestions of gender differences in ways of knowing, and also warns against claims that there are inherently gendered aspects of scientific knowledge.

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“…Following our study, we come to the conclusions reflected in the literature on the subject ( Ceci and Williams, 2011 ; Kirschner, 2020 ; Osbeck, 2020 ; Derra et al, 2021 ), namely, that the promotion of women in psychology or, more generally, in science can take place at least two ways. First, through the conscious undertaking of individual actions, we value female researchers, express our admiration for their scientific activities, and restore them to the history and memory of the various research fields.…”

“…However, power or influence over other persons has no significance for them. It may be due to the barrier identified by our interlocutors regarding how women are treated in science, particularly by the male-dominated scientific community, and the need for women to adapt to the way they see the world and the man-created approach to science ( Chybicka and Zubrzycka, 2015 ; Kirschner, 2020 ; Derra et al, 2021 ). Perhaps that is why our interlocutors highlighted mentoring offered by female mentors and its importance to young women in science.…”