Science Networks in Cutting-edge Research Institutions: Gender Homophily and Embeddedness in Formal and Informal Networks

Female researchers are underrepresented in leading academic positions. Literature has referred to networks as a central factor for sex differences in scientific careers. The present study analyses the interrelations between formal and informal science networks and focuses on gender homophily as a driver for structural embeddedness. Applying QAP network correlation analysis on the principal investigators of two institutions from the German Excellence Initiative, gender homophily minorly influences the involvement in research cooperation, research support and social acquaintance networks. Other similarity variables seem to be more strongly related to integration in science networks, namely, research area, geographic dispersal and academic status. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.