Paper short abstract:

This research looks at the production of knowledge from it's inside out, through the experiences of academic endogamy. By observing such practice amongst XXth century french anthropology, I intend to analise the hibrid and gendered caracter ingrained in the production of scientific knowledge.

Paper long abstract:

This paper seeks to analise a type of relationship widely common on academia: endogamy. A classic anthropological subject, marital choices inside or outside social groups (endogamy and exogamy) have been seen by structuralist anthropology as signs of aliances and reciprocity, and as fundamental to the constitution of human societies. But when seen at our workplace, in universities and academic departaments, endogamy is taken as something "natural" and personal, as an intimate and delicate subject inapropriate for the anthropological gaze. As an widespreed practice among different areas of knowledge and throuought the history of sciences, the study of academic endogamy might reveal the hibrid caracter of the production of knowledge, ingrain between the public and private. It also allow us to better comprehend the gendered dynamics at play in disciplines, universities and research institutions. The maintenance of conjugal relationships in spaces of fierce academic competitiveness have shown how domestic and professional ethics are conciliated trough changes in research agendas and professional routes - and how gender plays an important role on the making and profiting of these decisions. I will present an ethnographical account of experiences in which academic endogamy is presented in an ambiguous manner: at times, as an dual insertion strategy in scientific and academic networks; at other times, as a delicate trait that enables comments of favoritism and nepotism.