Conference Agenda

Scholars of gender recognise that identities are intersectional, with social networks shaped by multiple intersecting structures of distinction and exclusion. In South Asia, caste is one such structure, operating as a mechanism of stratification that not only regulates access to material resources but also conditions the formation and reach of social ties. While much scholarship has examined caste-based inequalities in economic and political domains, less attention has been paid to how caste and class shape women’s social networks. Drawing on demographic, economic, and complete social network data from three field sites in rural South Asia—two in India and one in Nepal—this study examines how caste and class positionalities mediate women’s social ties beyond kinship and household structures.

Initial insights suggest that upper-caste women experience a narrowing of social networks due to restrictions on physical mobility and severance from natal kinship ties, leading to networks concentrated within the marital household and affinal relations. In contrast, lower-caste women, while similarly disconnected from natal networks, cultivate broader external ties beyond kinship structures, facilitated by greater mobility and the necessity of engagement in labour and community-based resource sharing. Class further complicates this pattern: families’ aspirations for social and economic mobility and differences in women’s labour lead to substantial variation both within and across communities. By mapping these variations, this study highlights the intersection of caste, class, and gender in shaping women’s social networks, offering a comparative perspective on the relational dimensions of social stratification in rural South Asia.

Introduction

The TCH Pathways study examines linear and non-linear pathways into and beyond the Gender Identity Clinic. The aim was to map out the social ecosystem including other NHS, private healthcare, community and third sector services; identifying common sequences.

Methods

An ego network design was used to collect data on participants (egos) and the services they accessed for transgender affirming healthcare (alters). Services were grouped into broad categories, such as GPs and Gender Identity Clinics. Directed edges between alters were captured to represent referral pathways. Distinct pathways were counted. A single network was created to include all identified referral types, weighted by frequency of occurrence. Logistic multilevel modelling was used to predict the ego and alter level characteristics associated with service ratings.

Results

GPs were a frequent point of contact and referral to elsewhere, particularly direct referrals from GP to trans affirmative care, counselling, and GICs. However, there is a frequent GP to GP pathway, indicating a loop of multiple GP visits before being referred elsewhere. There is a notable pathway from GIC to trans affirmative care (albeit the long waiting lists). Statutory organisations seem to refer the patient-participant to informal support significantly. Finally there is a repeated referral between different forms of informal support. These complex healthcare pathways are a result of prolonged waitlists; symptomatic of an ‘Ailing administration’ that TNB and gender questioning people have grown to mistrust. As a result they take recourse to other hormone sources and ensuring that they present an acceptable gender story in order that they would be referred to the GIC by a GP and psychiatrically diagnosed so that they can be progressed to specialist services and receive gender affirming care.

This study investigates the impact of board interlocks on the relationship between female-chaired boards and corporate governance in UK companies, using both agency and resource dependency theories as theoretical frameworks. The research explores whether board interlocks, particularly those formed by companies sharing female directors, can mediate or enhance the association between female leadership on boards and governance scores. The findings suggest that board interlocks do not act as a moderator but rather as a positive amplifier, boosting the relationship between female-chaired boards and corporate governance scores. Specifically, companies with female chairs and board interlocks involving both male and female directors tend to exhibit higher corporate governance scores. This indicates that interlocks between companies can enhance the positive effects of female leadership on governance. In contrast, the analysis reveals that board interlocks involving only female directors do not show significant effects, and for companies with male chairs, an increase in interlocks with female directors results in a decrease in governance scores. The study also contrasts the perspectives of agency theory, which views board interlocks as detrimental due to the potential dilution of directors' monitoring capacity, with resource dependency theory, which regards interlocks as beneficial sources of knowledge and resources. The results underscore the importance of both the type and extent of board interlocks, particularly those involving a mix of male and female directors, in shaping corporate governance outcomes. Ultimately, the study contributes to understanding how the board interlocks, especially when combined with gender diversity, influence corporate governance structures.

The paper examines music networks in the Indian independent music industry and how attitudinal discrimination and sexist structures within them work against women.

Between 2000 to 2024 the Indian indie industry, which caters largely to an English-speaking

urban audience, has witnessed an economic recession in 2008 and a pandemic in 2020. Despite these odds, the Indian indie networks have witnessed significant growth in terms of resources, infrastructure and opportunities with digital streaming and social media platforms extensively widening the scope of the community to reach global audiences.

Yet, a massive disparity exists within music networks because of various types of bias

including gendering that has led to objectification of women, harassment and an unequal wage system. The Indian indie music industry is an informal sector with no organizational structures that legitimize wage structures, hierarchical positions and growth of individuals. So personal networks and social following become all the more crucial in determining the role of music professionals.

While the focus of this paper is women in the performance space, it is significant to note that women music music professionals across the industry including artist managers, tour managers and crew among others are faced with gender inequality especially with regard to employment opportunities, moving up the ranks and an increase in pay scales.

The paper analyses how network structures can shift to transform the industry and how women can gain agency to not only overcome these challenges but also demand equity.