Is public engagement gendered? An analytical proposal using some evidence from Italy

Abstract

The relationship between gender and public engagement in the literature is unclear. Unlike with other factors, research has not conclusively shown whether gender affects involvement in public engagement activities and, if it does so, in what direction. This article aims to investigate this ambiguity and intends to contribute to the understanding of underlying factors. Using survey data from a large national sample of Italian academics from all disciplines ( N = 5123), we find a gender gap in public engagement activities in the mass media and not in community-based activities. These results suggest a different analytical approach for investigating gender differences in public engagement.