The Sole Engineering Genius: A Professional Identity Not Fit for the Purpose of Gender Equality Projects
Journal article, 2023

Despite decades of directed efforts gender equality is still a challenge in many university level STEM institutions. Key reasons for this are found in disciplinary and institutional cultures. A crucial cultural element is professional identity. In this article, an ethnographic study of a gender equality program in a technical university in Sweden underpins the identification of a professional identity that we name: the ‘sole engineering genius’. This cultural figure displays features that run counter to measures promoting gender equality. As a component of engineering faculty’s self-perception as well as views of others, this figure provides rationales for rejecting the changes required to end gender inequality. Against the backdrop of research literature, we argue that this professional identity is not a local or national phenomenon, but likely a key factor in academic engineering culture transnationally that may continue to undermine gender equality strategies in STEM institutions.

engineering culture

gender equality

professional identity

institutional change

Author

Kai Lo Andersson

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Science, Technology and Society

Catharina Landström

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Science, Technology and Society

Engineering Studies

1937-8629 (ISSN) 19408374 (eISSN)

Vol. 15

Gender Initiative for Excellence (Genie)

The Chalmers University Foundation, 2019-01-01 -- 2028-12-31.

Subject Categories

Gender Studies

Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Social Anthropology

Cultural Studies

DOI

10.1080/19378629.2023.2266416

More information

Latest update

7/17/2024