Final answer:
Tom Gieryn's term 'creeping elitism' refers to the process where practices or fields become exclusive, making them inaccessible to many people, often highlighted in the context of the sociology of science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tom Gieryn coined the term creeping elitism to refer to the process by which certain practices, spaces, or professions become increasingly exclusive and inaccessible to broader groups of people. This can happen through the elevation of certain knowledge forms, the establishment of rigorous boundaries, and the setting of high standards that are difficult for many to reach. Creeping elitism is often discussed in relation to the sociology of science, where Gieryn highlighted how scientific fields can become closed-off territories guarded by experts who determine what qualifies as legitimate knowledge.