Gatekeeping Science: How Methodological Critiques Police Feminist Research

In this analytical essay, we examine critical receptions of our recently published study on gendered inequality.
Our study received numerous extremely critical comments about the biological properties of gender, assumptions about the political stance, and the scientific integrity of the authors, and most importantly of whether the paper was even scientific. We identify two types of criticism: dismissive and scientific criticisms, and discuss the latter using Skov (2022). On closer inspection, our paper does in fact adhere to the criteria put forward by Skov.
We therefore argue that as this paper was exposed to the very same criticism most feminist research is exposed to, such critiques should not be understood as methodological critiques, but instead a misogynistic policing of science and scientific practice. The critiques mentioned above are not about ensuring scientific quality, nor about methodological standards, but rather about gatekeeping science, and preventing scientific studies that expose privilege and make claims aligning with feminist positions, from obtaining legitimacy. We draw here on the theory of misogyny as the policing of gender roles, as proposed by feminist philosopher Kate Manne.