Review of: Elisabeth Maurer: Fragile Freundschaften. Networking und Gender in der wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchsförderung. Frankfurt am Main u.a.: Campus Verlag 2010.

Abstract

Elisabeth Maurer uncovers the covert yet at the same time deliberately cultivated social prerequisites of academic careers in a concomitant study of a graduate colloquium on “Gender Studies” held at a Swiss university. Her study is both methodologically diverse as well as rich with practical references. The highly complex and interwoven process of scientific reflection and intervention of gender equality is the secret topic of this book. In her role as equal opportunities officer, the author is virtually caught between a rock and a hard place and, particularly due to this rather uncomfortable situation, she is in a good position to make observations. The study provides useful information both for social scientists and for practitioners of higher education policy.