Introduction
Click the Play button below to watch the introductory video for this session.
Prepare
Print out the The Gender Dimension in Research worksheet to help you complete activities for this session.
Task 1: Watch
- Click the link to watch the video on understanding the gender dimension in research which explains what the 'gender dimension' is and why it is vital to include it in your research project and planning.
Task 2: Watch
- Click the link to watch this video on the IGAR (Integrating Gender Analysis into Research Tool). The video explains the impact of 'gender blind' or 'gender biased' research and how research can use the IGAR Tool. It supports the sex- and/or gender analysis in all the phases of the research cycle, taking into account the biological characteristics of both females and males (sex) and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).
Study
Click the link below to study the presentation, and when you have finished please return to this page to complete the tasks.
Study the presentation The Gender Dimension in Research.Apply
Task 1: Read and write
- Search the Gendered Innovations website or the Yellow Window website and select an example of research close to your field.
- Observe how the gender sensitive approach has been included in the research idea and its development.
- Search the publications describing the results, and observe if and how gender is mentioned in the title or abstract.
- Search on the Internet for non-academic coverage of the research you chose, and observe whether they mention gender.
Write your answer under Apply Task 1 on the session worksheet.
Task 2: Read and write
- Read a proposal or project written in your organisation. If you do not have access to a proposal or project, use the publicly available information on one of the three alternative projects below, that did not include a gender perspective.
- Answer the following questions:
- Cross reference it with this list of questions for planning gender sensitive research which are based on those in the presentation, to observe its gender sensitivity. For questions that should have been asked in the research that were not, how could they be answered?
- Carry out a literature search to check if that topic has already been analysed from a gendered perspective.
- Take each section and try to modify the text of the proposal or project to include a gendered perspective.
- Then look at the project results and outputs, to do the same exercise.
Write your answer under Apply Task 2 on the session worksheet.
Three alternative projects:
(SAGE would like to thank Dr. Maria Bulgheroni, Research and Development Director at Ab.Acus in Italy for providing authorisation to use these projects.)
Follow the links below to read about one of these projects, which did not include a gender perspective.
Project 1: SocialCar
SocialCar was a research and innovation project that sought to incorporate carpooling into existing mobility systems; by means of powerful planning algorithms and big data integration from public transport, carpooling systems, and crowd sourcing.
Website: currently unavailable
SocialCar on Cordis: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/193402/factsheet/en
Project 2: DiDIY
Digital Do-It-Yourself (DiDIY) is a complex phenomenon, involving social, cultural, technological, economic, and psychological dimensions, stemming from the new ability to mix physical and informational components into simple and affordable systems such as 3D printers and Arduino boards.
Website: www.didiy.eu
DIDIY on Cordis: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/194194/factsheet/en
Project 3: m-RESIST
m-Resist project aims to empower patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia to better self-manage their condition. The primary goal is to examine how mHealth techniques can help in early intervention and treatment of schizophrenia, by promoting collaboration between patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Website: https://www.mresist.eu/
Reflect
Task 1: Read and write
- Read the article about living in a world of male data, The deadly truth about a world built for men – from stab vests to car crashes. You may find it useful to read some of the comments by readers, to gain insight into further experiences.
- Consider if you too have experienced situations, in your private or professional life, when an object, service or product was 'built for men'.
Write your answers under Reflect Task 1 on the session worksheet.
Task 2: Read
- Read On gender, knowledge and scientific careers: An interview with Londa Schiebinger.
- How do you think cultural norms shape individual preferences and can you think of any examples from your own educational and professional experience?
Write your answer under Reflect Task 2 on the session worksheet.
Recall
Task 1: Quiz
This quiz activity contains a series of questions on the content of this session, and is designed to assist you to review the key points covered in the session material. You can take the quiz as many times as you like, and feedback is provided to help explain the correct answers.
Click here to begin the quiz.
Extend
Readings and video
Visit the Gendered Innovations webpage created by Stanford University for further detailed case studies and resources on gender in the research context, particularly focused on the Science, Health & Medicine, Engineering and Environment fields.
Visit the Yellow Window webpage, which provides numerous examples of research projects and how they address the gender dimension. The case studies provide valuable insights into the gender dimension in research in Health, Energy, Food & Agriculture, Environment, Sciences, Transport and more.
Further examples of case studies of how research can apply the gender dimension can also be found in the Norwegian 2018 report What is the Gender Dimension in Research?, which draws from a variety of research fields, such as health and quality of life, food, agriculture and fisheries, energy, transport, environment and climate, and safe societies.
Portia is a not-for-profit organisation based in London. It was set up in 2001 by a group of women scientists at Imperial College London to advance understanding of gender issues in science, in participation, in organisational practices, and in science knowledge. The Portia website includes documents from EU funded projects and other relevant resources.
Read working paper, aimed at 'all research and teaching staff (at all career stages: Full Professors, Associate and Assistant Professors and Postdoctoral Researchers) and project officers'. The document is an output of an EU financed proposal, titled Garcia Working Papers: Toolkit for Integrating Gender-Sensitive Approach into Research and Teaching, by Jovana Mihajlović Trbovc and Ana Hofman.
Tannenbaum C, Greaves L & Graham ID (2016) Why sex and gender matter in implementation research, BMC Med Res Methodol, 16:145. This article provides useful tips for thinking about how gender roles, gender identity, gender relations and institutionalised gender can impact on interventions in healthcare.
Watch the following video about The Volvo car initiative an Equal Vehicles for All (EVA), to share safety research.