The Peripherals at the Core of Androcentric Knowledge Production: An Analysis of the Managing Editor's Knowledge Work in 'The International Encyclopedia of Education' (1985)

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Peripherals at the Core of Androcentric Knowledge Production: An Analysis of the Managing Editor's Knowledge Work in 'The International Encyclopedia of Education' (1985)
Language: English
Authors: Primus, Franziska, Lundahl, Christian (ORCID 0000-0001-8173-7474)
Source: Paedagogica Historica: International Journal of the History of Education. 2021 57(6):621-637.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Encyclopedias, Editing, Females, Gender Bias, Influences, Role, Soft Skills
DOI: 10.1080/00309230.2020.1739085
ISSN: 0030-9230
Abstract: Building on the approach that knowledge is socially constructed, this study aims to deepen the understanding of knowledge production processes by adapting the concept of a laboratory on an historical example of editorial collaboration. We use the editorial process of "The International Encyclopedia of Education" (IEE) (1985) as an example. Considering knowledge as situated in contrast to the illusion of objectivity, the paper pursues identifying a perspective on the editing process that is located in its periphery. Rooted in constructivist assumptions of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Feminist Standpoint Theory (FST), the paper builds on the potential of understanding the social construction of knowledge by taking marginalised perspectives into account. Including the concept of gendered division of labour, the approach offers a deeper understanding of the editorial process, beyond the presented picture of relevant actors and actions. The source material consists of correspondence concerning the editorial process of the encyclopaedia, which is filed in the archive of Torsten Husén. There, we encountered the publisher's managing editor Barbara Barrett, the only woman in the editorial board of the IEE's first edition. By analysing almost 4000 pages of correspondence by coding according to qualitative content analysis it is possible to show that the kind of work that Barrett performed was much more central than presented. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of knowledge production processes and of related marginalisation of certain groups in the past. Hereby, it offers a departure point for reflecting upon present practices.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1323540
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Building on the approach that knowledge is socially constructed, this study aims to deepen the understanding of knowledge production processes by adapting the concept of a laboratory on an historical example of editorial collaboration. We use the editorial process of "The International Encyclopedia of Education" (IEE) (1985) as an example. Considering knowledge as situated in contrast to the illusion of objectivity, the paper pursues identifying a perspective on the editing process that is located in its periphery. Rooted in constructivist assumptions of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Feminist Standpoint Theory (FST), the paper builds on the potential of understanding the social construction of knowledge by taking marginalised perspectives into account. Including the concept of gendered division of labour, the approach offers a deeper understanding of the editorial process, beyond the presented picture of relevant actors and actions. The source material consists of correspondence concerning the editorial process of the encyclopaedia, which is filed in the archive of Torsten Husén. There, we encountered the publisher's managing editor Barbara Barrett, the only woman in the editorial board of the IEE's first edition. By analysing almost 4000 pages of correspondence by coding according to qualitative content analysis it is possible to show that the kind of work that Barrett performed was much more central than presented. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of knowledge production processes and of related marginalisation of certain groups in the past. Hereby, it offers a departure point for reflecting upon present practices.
ISSN:0030-9230
DOI:10.1080/00309230.2020.1739085