The engagement gap:: Exploring gender differences in University – Industry collaboration activities

•We examine differences between men and women academics in their propensity to academic engagement with industry.•We find that women engage less and in different ways than their male colleagues.•These differences are mitigated by the presence of other women in the related scientific discipline and social support mechanisms in the workplace, but not by the presence of women in their local work context.•Implications for policy to support women in academic careers are assessed.