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Citation politics: The gender gap in internet governance

Author

Listed:
  • Rosa, Fernanda R.
  • Anastácio, Kimberly
  • Pereira de Jesus, Maria Vitoria
  • Veras, Hemanuel Jhosé A.

Abstract

This article proposes an informed debate on the politics of citation in internet governance (IG), focusing on gender. To this end, we use the Bibliographic Reference Index (BRI) to examine the prominence of female and male names in the IG references. The BRI is based on an action research process (“pesquisa-ação”), in which authors fill out information about their citation practices. The aim is to promote self-reflection on authors’ selection of references whilst collecting bibliographic data. We applied the BRI to 1113 citations from 35 papers published in the Proceedings of the Brazilian Internet Governance Research Network (REDE) throughout 2017–2021. Results show that male-gendered names were cited more than double the number of times of female-gendered names (47% vs. 20%). To situate these results vis-à-vis global IG, we analyze the gender gap in the curriculum of IG schools and courses, by applying the index to an Internet Governance Forum compilation of 22 IG syllabi and course programs, comprising 96 references and the names of 217 IG experts worldwide. Results show that female names authored only 19% of the syllabi readings and materials featured vs. 29% by men. Also, the gender rate among experts is 63% vs. 37% in favor of men. Based on the structural gender inequalities that we have found in global and local IG contexts, we recommend interventions to increase the conscious engagement with bibliography and syllabus preparation on two fronts: 1) we recommend the application of the BRI to IG syllabi and course programs to monitor and reduce the gender gap; and 2) we provide a citation diversity statement that IG scholars can add to their publications in order to promote self-reflection about their knowledge production and add transparency to the politics of citation in IG.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosa, Fernanda R. & Anastácio, Kimberly & Pereira de Jesus, Maria Vitoria & Veras, Hemanuel Jhosé A., 2024. "Citation politics: The gender gap in internet governance," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:48:y:2024:i:5:s0308596124000314
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2024.102734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Varon, Joana & Peña, Paz, 2021. "Artificial intelligence and consent: A feminist anti-colonial critique," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 10(4), pages 1-25.
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    4. Maliniak, Daniel & Powers, Ryan & Walter, Barbara F., 2013. "The Gender Citation Gap in International Relations," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 67(4), pages 889-922, October.
    5. Milton L. Mueller, 2004. "Ruling the Root: Internet Governance and the Taming of Cyberspace," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262632985, April.
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