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Authors:
Adrián A. Diaz-Faes, Paula Otero-Hermida, Pablo D'Este

Abstract

Drawing on gender biases and differences observed in academic paths, this paper aims to disentangle the gender dimension in biomedical research collaboration networks. We adopt a network approach based on the institutional diversity of nodes and the configuration of triads (coordinator, gatekeeper, consultant and liaison) as a source of diverse and non-redundant knowledge. Using data from 1,110 usable responses from a questionnaire administered in 2013 to biomedical scientists and technicians in the nine Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centres (CIBERs), comprising research areas such as bioengineering and nanomedicine, epidemiology, or mental health. The questionnaire collected information about involvement in a range of medical innovation activities and included attitudinal and motivational questions such as prosocial behaviour, personality traits or tertius iungens orientation. These features are explored by gender and connected with biomedical scientist’s propensity to engage with alters from different institutional settings. Our early findings show that women tend to form more diverse networks triads that men, especially when they are embedded in homophily settings. Gender studies literature on innovation will be introduced in the analysis to conclude with possible policy implications.

Fecha -
Name and Edition of Conference XVI Triple Helix Conference
Location Manchester, UK
URL http://thc2018.org/