Gendering Science Diplomacy: A Feminist Critique of Science, Technology and Innovation Systems

Abstract

Science and technology occupy a central place in contemporary societies, shaping economic development, public policy, and international affairs. Far from being external to politics, they are deeply entangled with power dynamics, informing governance structures and shaping whose knowledge is recognized as legitimate. This entanglement becomes particularly visible at the intersection between science and international relations, where scientific authority and diplomatic action increasingly overlap. While science diplomacy has traditionally been portrayed as a cooperative and technical instrument oriented toward trust-building and the provision of global public goods, more recent approaches emphasize its strategic and competitive dimensions. Although these perspectives acknowledge the political character of science, they tend to overlook how inequalities internal to science, technology, and innovation (STI) systems structure international engagement. In particular, the persistent underrepresentation of women in senior scientific roles, technological sectors, and international advisory bodies raises questions about whose expertise circulates globally and whose authority is institutionalized in diplomatic arenas.
Therefore, this article asks: how do gendered hierarchies within STI systems shape science diplomacy? Drawing on a feminist epistemological framework grounded in strong objectivity, situated knowledges, and reflexivity, the paper argues that gender is not an external normative concern but a constitutive dimension of science diplomacy. By examining the three dimensions of science diplomacy—science in diplomacy, diplomacy for science, and science for diplomacy—the analysis demonstrates how inequalities in access, authority, and representation are reproduced in international settings. At a time when the neutrality and universality of science are increasingly questioned, the article contends that epistemic concern is a structural condition for the legitimacy and effectiveness of science diplomacy in global governance.