This Palgrave Pivot draws on ethnographic research in UK academic libraries. Central to participants’ narratives are reflexive discussions about their experience of masculinities and gender, their recognition of gender norms and privilege within the cis-hetero patriarchal culture of information professions, as well as the importance of critiquing traditional notions of technological expertise. Weaving together these narratives, the book demonstrates the need to reconsider assumptions about gender and technical skill and highlights possibilities for men to encourage and promote gender diversity and parity in their profession and organisations. It will be of interest to researchers in gender studies, information and library science, computer science, sociology, and cultural studies.

Kristen Schuster (they/them) is a lecturer in Digital Humanities at the University of Southampton, UK. Their research blends gender theories and critical studies of men and masculinities to conceptualise new methods for engaging with histories of information systems and computing.