DEI PANEL 2024

More Than Muscles in the Lab:
Expanding Masculinities in a Competitive Research Culture

“A man is a corpus of blood and flesh, 
and all the secrets of the world might be caught inside him.”
— Colum McCann

ADBIS 2024 DEI-Panel Hybrid Session
In situ: ADBIS 2024 Venue, Bayonne, France
Online:
Zoom Session
670mvi

Moderators

Barbara Catania, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy
Genoveva Vargas-Solar, CNRS, LIRIS, France

Introduction slides [PDF]

Last year’s panel explored the design of research initiatives with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), integrating feminist and decolonial methodologies to assess technology-driven solutions critically. The primary conclusion emphasized the need to research and comprehend the impact of gender dynamics within traditionally male-dominated scientific fields. Furthermore, the conversation underscored the significance of recognising various identities within a multicultural scientific community. Fostering effective communication among these diverse identities is essential for developing environments that encourage innovative, inclusive, and varied scientific methodologies.

This year’s conference will feature a panel discussing masculinity within the scientific community. This initiative acknowledges the gaps in our understanding of diverse and equitable scientific methods. It aims to broaden our perspectives on how gender dynamics influence scientific practices and highlight the importance of inclusive approaches to research.

Masculinity perspective in the scientific community

As conceptualized in Western societies, masculinity represents a construct shaped by historical, cultural, and social narratives. It positions men at the intersection of the divine and the mortal, tasked with executing the supposed will of the gods. This framework has produced various archetypal roles for men, such as the prayer, the builder, and the warrior. Often idolized as superheroes in their sphere, these roles are depicted as conquerors and colonizers of physical, social, and symbolic spaces —including fields like art and science. This perspective invites a critical examination of how these roles influence and permeate various societal domains (M. Ferrari, 2021). 

In recent decades, societal views on masculinity have evolved significantly. Traditionally, masculinity was often associated with traits such as aggression, competitiveness, and emotional invulnerability. However, while influential in its time, this archetype is increasingly outdated in contemporary society. Movements within the Global North and Global South societies actively challenge and redefine these conventional perceptions of masculinity. These efforts aim to expand the concept of masculinity to embrace attributes typically underappreciated in professional contexts, such as collaboration, emotional openness, and a nurturing approach to mentorship that values cooperative success over competitive dominance. In response to these changing norms, new communication strategies and role models that reflect contemporary understandings of masculinity are being developed (D. Landázuri–Ludeña, J.D. Burneo 2020).

The term “new masculinities in science” captures the shifting perceptions and expressions of male identities within the scientific community, challenging entrenched gender norms and roles. Traditionally, the culture in science has valorised traits often associated with masculinity, such as individualism, competitiveness, and emotional reserve. The emergent concept of new masculinities advocates for a more inclusive scientific environment, encouraging traits like solidarity, gender equity, and emotional engagement. This paradigm shift fosters more cooperative research teams and a supportive atmosphere conducive to all scientists, regardless of gender. By adopting new masculinities, the scientific community can dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically hindered diverse talents and viewpoints. This transformative approach not only enriches the work environment but also enhances innovation and the overall rigor of scientific research by embracing a broader spectrum of perspectives and methodologies.

Objective and Format

This panel aims to foster a dialogue among scientists of diverse genders and disciplines, challenging traditional views on masculinity in favor of a broader, pluralistic understanding of masculinities. The first objective is to explore how gender identities influence scientific practices within contemporary laboratories. It seeks to examine how these identities shape the approach to problem-solving, experimentation, knowledge transfer to societal applications, and the communication of results among peers and to the public.

The second objective is to explore the dynamics within scientific communities as collectives that can cultivate virtuous or detrimental environments. This includes examining how various expressions of masculinity interact with different femininities and non-binary identities, influencing the community’s overall culture.

The discussion will be centered around critical questions:

Is it possible for science to be genuinely gender-neutral? 
When scientists collaborate to advance knowledge, can they separate their work from their cultural, socioeconomic, and gender identities? 

These questions aim to uncover how personal identities influence scientific practice and community dynamics.

We have invited panellists who have explored the impact of gender on scientific practices and the collective construction of the scientific community. The discussion will unfold in four structured segments:

  1. The moderators will introduce the panel’s theme, objectives, and guiding questions to frame the dialogue.
  2. Panelists will each present a 5-minute statement addressing one or more teasing questions proposed by the moderators.
  3. Moderators will incorporate audience questions in the third segment to deepen the discussion on pivotal issues raised.
  4. Concluding the session, panelists will share their final thoughts and key takeaways, summarizing the insights gained from the dialogue.

Teasing questions

  • What does it mean to be a man or a person? What does it mean to be a male, female, or non-binary scientist? 
  • Who is your scientist of reference? Do the characters of  Prometheus, Socrate, Giordano Bruno, Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Who, Albert Einstein and Alan Turing correspond to a scientist’s ideal character?
    • Does manhood define a way of driving science and adopting a strategy for achieving success in science? 
    • How do we picture men of science conquering the secrets of nature and society through in-vitro and in-sillico practices? 
  • How are muscles used in the lab? Do we actually need to show our muscles in the lab?
    • To what extent does occupying physical and intellectual space relate to traditional masculine roles of pioneering and domination in scientific discovery? 
    • What does success in science look like, and does it necessarily align with traditional masculine values of building and conquering? 
    • What about those who embody alternative masculinities that resist aggressive conquest? Are they merely passive observers in the scientific and technological arena? 
    • Is a conqueror-like approach the only way to avoid the marginalization of women and men adhering to alternative notions of masculinity and non-binary individuals in science? Does overlooking diverse perspectives risk missing out on novel scientific practices and knowledge?

References

  • David Landázuri–Ludeña, José David Burneo, Las masculinidades contemporáneas como nueva estrategia de comunicación de marca, Journal ESTRATEGAS, Investigación en Comunicación ISSN: 2550-6870, Vo(7), 2020, https://marketing.udla.edu.ec/ojs/index.php/estrategas/article/view/211
  • Ferrari M. Science As a Symbolic Form: Ernst Cassirer’s Culture of Reason. In: Truwant S, ed. Interpreting Cassirer: Critical Essays. Cambridge University Press; 2021:72-88.
  • Colum McCann, The Book of Men: Eighty Writers on How to Be a Man, Editor, Colum McCann, Publisher, Wattpad Webtoon Book, November 2013