Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate information communications technologies (ICT)‐mediated inclusion and exclusion in terms of sexuality through a study of a commercial social networking web site for gay men.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an approach based on technological inscription and the commodification of difference to study Gaydar, a commercial social networking site.Findings – Through the activities, events and interactions offered by Gaydar, the study identifies a series of contrasting identity constructions and market segmentations that are constructed through the cyclic commodification of difference. These are fuelled by a particular series of meanings attached to gay male sexualities which serve to keep gay men positioned as a niche market.Research limitations/implications – The research centres on the study of one, albeit widely used, web site with a very specific set of purposes. The study offers a model for future research on sexuality and ICTs.Originality/va...

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Gay men, Gaydar and the commodification of difference

Using selected, contemporaneous illustrations from the reflective journal of a doctoral student undertaking data analysis for the first time, this article examines the relationship between journaling as a learning process when undertaking computer-assisted qualitative data analysis and establishing quality and validity in interpretative phenomenological analysis. The writing of the journal is shown both to enact some potential validity criteria (e.g. in producing an audit trail) whilst also recording and reflectively prompting the process of learning, interpretation and bracketing, thus evidencing transparency. By using a journal inside the software package and alongside the stages of the interpretative phenomenological analysis, analysis within the software package, it is argued that quality and validity become dynamic, not static constructs. These constructs are intimately linked to the researcher-learning-process and permit a critical stance to be taken.

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A reflective journal as learning process and contribution to quality and validity in interpretative phenomenological analysis

Drawing on insights from gender studies, postcolonial theory, and debates around nation and identity this thesis offers a new reading of selected medieval and sixteenth-century Scottish histories and literature and focuses on the intersection of gender and Scottish identity. Historical and theoretical scholarship has shown that power and identity formation are complicit in the construction of both gender and nation, yet are usually discussed as separate entities. Moreover, theorists of nation argue the concept of ???nation??? is a modern construct that has no history prior to the late eighteenth century. Therefore, by ignoring the rigid periodisation given to the study of the nation and identity I demonstrate a Scottish identity existed between c. 1286 and c. 1586, one that was underpinned by gender ideologies.
Scottish historians have recently acknowledged the paucity of writings on medieval and early modern Scottish national identity and culture from a gendered perspective. Using gender as a tool of historical analysis uncovers the multiple dimensions that make people and institutions what they are, giving them meaning. People and institutions are informed and guided by relationships of power and a gendered analysis provides a framework where one can examine and understand the cultural and social relationships people had with the religious and political institutions that governed them. This thesis examines foundation myths, kingship, heroes and heroines, and personifications of the land to illuminate the complexities of gender existing in the primary texts. All the chapters question the singularity of a hegemonic masculinity which was perceived as the norm and excluded women, the feminine and ???other??? men. By challenging traditional power relationships this thesis demonstrates that images and languages of gender helped construct and inform medieval and sixteenth-century Scottish identities. This research will provide a fresh and innovative look at gender and nation, going beyond archival facts and demonstrating that the historical literature exposes changing cultural and ideological definitions of masculinities and femininities.

Assessing gender in the construction of Scottish identity, c. 1286-c. 1586

Experiences of Female Ex-Combatants in the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Endless Battles and Resistance

This paper examines the effects of humour studied within one organization where physical, misogynistic and homophobic humour is highly emphasized and encouraged. Using the theoretical framework of ‘hegemonic masculinity’, this paper explains how an idealized masculinity is enacted, promoted and valued through humour performances. The paper details how using humour can protect the power holders and proponents of an hyper-masculine culture. Drawing on Butler’s (1990) gender performativity theory, the paper outlines how hegemonic masculinity is performed through humour. Furthermore, women in this organization perform and validate hegemonic masculinity to gain acceptance in an overtly masculine culture. This raises questions about the role of women, marginalised male identities, sexual harassment and coercive organizational culture.

’Take it like a man!’: Performing hegemonic masculinity through organizational humour

The UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP) is a collaboration between the UK Biobank (UKB) and thirteen biopharmaceutical companies characterising the plasma proteomic profiles of 54,306 UKB participants. Here, we describe results from the first phase of UKB-PPP, including protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) mapping of 1,463 proteins that identifies 10,248 primary genetic associations, of which 85% are newly discovered. We also identify independent secondary associations in 92% of cis and 29% of trans loci, expanding the catalogue of genetic instruments for downstream analyses. The study provides an updated characterisation of the genetic architecture of the plasma proteome, leveraging population-scale proteomics to provide novel, extensive insights into trans pQTLs across multiple biological domains. We highlight genetic influences on ligand-receptor interactions and pathway perturbations across a diverse collection of cytokines and complement proteins, and illustrate long-range epistatic effects of ABO blood group and FUT2 secretor status on proteins with gastrointestinal tissue-enriched expression. We demonstrate the utility of these data for drug target discovery by extending the genetic proxied effect of PCSK9 levels on lipid concentrations, cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases, and additionally disentangle specific genes and proteins perturbed at COVID-19 susceptibility loci. This public-private partnership provides the scientific community with an open-access proteomics resource of unprecedented breadth and depth to help elucidate biological mechanisms underlying genetic discoveries and accelerate the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutics.

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Bram Prins

Papers

Genetic regulation of the human plasma proteome in 54,306 UK Biobank participants

Handbook of Gender and Women's Studies