Historical Perspectives and Future Scenarios: GenPORT Research Synthesis 6

Science, technology and innovation do not exist in a vacuum, but take place in historical contexts. Similarly, the question of science, technology and innovation in the future needs to be understood as located socially and historically. Accordingly, a historical perspective on gender and STI is needed in order to adequately understand gendered patterns and relations in both the past and the future: who does science, technology and innovation? How are science, technology and innovation organized? And also how is knowledge constructed in science, technology and innovation? These are three key components of the relationship between gender and science and technology, as identified by Hearn and Husu (2001) and Schiebinger (1999). Considering the histories and futures of gender and science alongside different conceptions of gender that shape the policies in this field provides a fruitful framework for analysis.