International Collaboration in a Department of Applied Physics in Mexico: Scope and Character Analysis from a Gender Perspective

In the global science scene that includes stratified logics characteristic of the international division of scientific labor, some academic and scientific communities from peripheral or developing countries have accomplished competent world-class work. Studies done in Latin America demonstrate the presence of research groups acknowledged and legitimized by the quality of their work, which have managed to become national models and hold prominent positions among international communities within their fields of study (Schwartzman, 2008, Altbach, 2004).

In this paper we analyze the characteristics and roles of international collaborations established by male and female researchers from the Department of Applied Physics at the National Polytechnic Institute´s Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav-IPN, for its acronym in Spanish). We will discuss the results from work carried out together with the researchers from the department that included the construction of their co-authorship networks of scientific production during the period from 2000 to 2013 as well as their reflection on their insertion and enrollment mechanisms in international projects. We will reflect on a gender perspective that focuses on the differences between the types of international collaboration, access methods, and the roles of male and female researchers from this department. This attention, centers on scientific fields still characterized by low female participation. Additionally, the paper looks at the implications encountered by these men and women as a result of their enrollment in international collaboration projects responding to global demands as compared to those of national or local character which seek to address issues from the region where they carry out on their scientific activity. This work forms part of an on-going doctoral research project for Cinvestav-IPN´s Department of Educational Research.