Contemporary Dialogue

Abstract

The intersections of science, technology, and gender have long been sites of contestation, critique, and redefinition. This paper reviews theoretical explanations and feminist perspectives that have shaped the discourse on women’s underrepresentation in scientific and technological fields. Beginning with sociological approaches, it highlights how science is not a neutral pursuit but a socially and culturally embedded practice, influenced by power relations, gender norms, and institutional structures. Feminist analyses reveal the systemic exclusion of women, particularly through patriarchal ideologies, discriminatory practices, and institutional barriers that restrict women’s full participation in scientific inquiry. In the Indian context, the analysis underscores how family structures, cultural ideologies, and professional biases create multiple burdens for women in science, while also acknowledging the emergence of collective consciousness and agency. Drawing on contributions from scholars such as Herbert Merton, Thomas Kuhn and Shapin, the study situates science within broader sociological debates on knowledge, power, and legitimacy. Feminist standpoint theory, critiques of biological determinism, and feminist epistemologies further challenge androcentric assumptions in knowledge production and open possibilities for inclusive frameworks. By tracing historical contributions, hidden narratives, and contemporary feminist interventions, the paper emphasizes the need to reimagine science and technology through plural, critical, and gender-sensitive lenses. It concludes that feminist scholarship not only exposes the gendered nature of scientific practices but also provides pathways for creating equitable and diverse knowledge systems that align with broader goals of social justice and innovation.