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The geek as gatekeeper? Changing relations between gender, race and technology

14 September 2022, 12:00 pm–1:00 pm

Boy sat at desk playing computer game

Join this event to hear from the panel of speakers discuss this new project and its aims.

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Yes

Cost

Free

Organiser

Jenny Woodman

Location

Thomas Coram Research Unit Library
27 - 28 Woburn Square
London
WC1H 0AA

The panel will explain how the project aims to trace how the figuration of ‘the geek’ includes and excludes and how its shifting articulations are transforming available identities in technology education. The geek, often derided but also identified as stereotype and gatekeeper of technology in educational research, is on the rise today, increasingly linked to entrepreneurialism and success. 

This project breaks with previous STEM studies in not contending with rejecting the geek, instead exploring the logics at play in gendering and racialising the geek and ‘his’ passion for technology through looking outside formal education. 

The project consists of three sub-studies, each analysing a context with both traditional geek representations and spaces where the geek is re-articulated and resisted. These are: 

  • Popular culture (film, TV and their viewing)
  • Open source coding/gaming communities (weekend gatherings and on-line)
  • Higher Education (student clubs/events)

This event will be particularly useful for those interested in gender, race, technology, higher education, gaming and popular culture.


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About the Speakers

Maria Berge

at Umeå University

Andreas Ottemo

at Gothenburg University

Heather Mendick

Eva Silfver

at Umeå University