Exploring Epistemic Communities: A Gendered Perspective on Scientific Collaboration

14 Pages Posted: 2 May 2010 Last revised: 15 May 2010

See all articles by Connie L. McNeely

Connie L. McNeely

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Date Written: April 20, 2010

Abstract

Epistemic communities have been identified and studied through collaboration and citation analyses. One issue that has received increasing calls for research in this area is the role of gender, especially in light of significant variation in participation and productivity along gender lines. Accordingly, we argue for the active incorporation of gender as a central consideration in analyses aimed at assessing epistemic communities and their impact at individual, national, and international levels of analysis. Drawing on various theoretical perspectives and considering a range of empirical findings, directions for research are delineated for assessing gender differentiation in collaboration productivity and network participation, particularly in terms of scientific discipline, institutional referents, and professional age and status, along with socio-cultural and political characteristics. The development of gender-specific metrics at different levels of aggregation and their broader analytical incorporation are discussed relative to assessments of gender distributional inequities and network properties. We suggest that allowing for various factors dictated by individual circumstances and field and network conditions can lead to improved contextual consideration and help to fill gaps in our knowledge to provide better and more informed understandings about the productivity and career patterns of women scientists.

Keywords: Epistemic Community, Gender, Collaboration, Citations, Science and Technology

Suggested Citation

McNeely, Connie L. and Schintler, Laurie, Exploring Epistemic Communities: A Gendered Perspective on Scientific Collaboration (April 20, 2010). GMU School of Public Policy Research Paper No. 2010-14, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1596134 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1596134

Connie L. McNeely (Contact Author)

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

4400 University Dr., MS 3B1
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
United States

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

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