Implementing feminist theory in engineering: obstacles within the gender studies tradition

ABSTRACT

Scholars have noted that there is hesitation to utilise findings from gender studies in engineering education. Issues within gender studies may be part of the matching problem. Debates concerning two concepts for new engineering paradigms are investigated: care and heterogeneity. Their appeals and the respective complications which they tend to be associated with are revisited. Two examples are explored in detail. The tensions revealed lead to the contents of technical work. More social sciences content in engineering education is sometimes suggested, as a way to support more humane approaches. But, if the calculations that decide how many bolts of what dimension are to be put where are ‘masculinist reductionism’, it still remains that someone will have to do those calculations. Is emphasis on social issues really what we want from engineers?

KEYWORDS:

• Gender studies
• engineering
• rationality of care
• ethics of care
• heterogeneous engineering

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributors

Maria Udén is Professor in Gender and Technology at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. She holds a PhD in Human Work Sciences and an MSc in Mineral Processing and Metallurgy.

ORCID

Maria K. Udén http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1357-4500

Notes

1 Law’s (1987) Technology, Closure and Heterogeneous Engineering has gained major influence in computer system development and in social informatics, as part of ANT. Here, I take the opportunity to highlight an example from another field of technical expertise – water and sanitation.

2 Also, Faulkner (2001), Wajcman (2000), and several more express similar views.

3 As I have given much space for talk about engineering without substantializing the content of engineering work, going into the details of this case brings some balance. Kardon’s article could also provide examples of technical discussions, but, considering Riley’s statements, it appears more effective to let Pantazidou and Nair provide the material.

Additional information

Funding

The research presented in this article has partially been financed by Vetenskapsrådet [contract number 2009-1736].