Ciara Young, a former anthropology student, undertook an ethnographic study during the 2023-2024 academic year as part of her requirements for graduating with distinction in anthropology at SU, delving into the Syracuse collegiate esports community and emphasizing the urgency of addressing gender discrimination within esports. After graduating in May 2024, Young submitted her research to Feminist Anthropology, a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Anthropological Association, which selected her article "The Silent Few: An Ethnographic Study of Gender Perceptions in the Syracuse University Esports Community" for online publication. The article is available online. Following is an abstract:

As Syracuse University's esports players continue to strive for greater notoriety and national collegiate representation through the new multi-million dollar 3-track academic esports program launched in August 2024, the underrepresentation of women in collegiate and professional esports spaces has become even more apparent. This disparity is reinforced by gendered communication styles, particularly within in-game dialogue, colloquially known as “comms,” which maintain the male homosocial relationship. By utilizing participant observation within the physical gaming spaces of esports arenas and tournaments, the nuances of gender discrimination beyond the anonymity and avatar-based gameplay of the digital realm are revealed. These nuances reveal the normalization of toxic male behaviors and bonding practices which mirror those rooted in the foundation of gaming culture, perpetuating gendered stereotypes and exclusion. Observations and interviews align with the existing literature and the experiences shared by women gamers, revealing persistent gender inequity in competitive gaming circles. The men interviewed, while conditioned to the male homosocial dynamic favored in esports, expressed confusion over the origins of these gendered norms. The ethnographic data underscores the pervasive influence of social gender expectations and behaviors within competitive gaming culture, revealing crucial insights surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the emerging collegiate esports market.