Purpose This empirical study aims to examine the intertwining of doing gender, networking and equality and/or inequality within a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) network that aims to improve gender equality. Design/methodology/approach Based on participant observation of network meetings, semi-structured interviews and drawing networking maps with network members, we use networking and a multidimensional process of doing gender as our analytical lens to identify cracks in the gender order. Findings The network predominantly focuses on STEM-related tasks, amplifying the advantages of well-connected male scientists and marginalizing women, early-career researchers and those in management roles with a social science background. Cracks in the existing gender order emerge in two ways: informally, when members begin to question stereotypical forms of masculinity, and formally, when the network collectively does gender equality work. However, most efforts are focused on fixing the numbers of women in leadership, with less emphasis on structural or knowledge changes. Originality/value The paper presents the new concept of hegemonic profiles to go beyond hegemonic masculinity and include intersectionality in STEM networks. By applying a multidimensional perspective on doing gender, it provides new empirical insights into how hegemonic profiles are reinforced and challenged in everyday networking. The findings demonstrate how change is enacted both informally and formally within the network.
Graf et al. (Mon,) studied this question.