The Radar: How Technologies of Self Surveil Women Teaching Faculty in Science

• In Event: Roundtable Session 2

Abstract

Work-life balance is often given as a reason for why women scientists go into teaching rather than research pathways in academia. Neoliberal governmentality, which individualizes docile bodies through gender essentializing, positions women scientists as better suited for roles such as teaching, which leave time for domestic obligations. Drawing from an ethnographic case study of faculty in the physical sciences, I show that work-life balance is elusive. However, it works to produce women faculty who ‘fly under the radar’ as they perform the central duty of teaching introductory courses. This subject position renders them with little power in their departments and requires low cost and low commitment from the neoliberal university.

Author

• Katherine Doerr, The University of Texas at Austin