The Present
Researching Gender Diversity in Engineering
Four researchers at the University of South Australia have an ARC Discovery Grant for 2004-6 for a study titled Engineering diversity: An investigation of gender, workplace culture and change”
The researchers are: Associate Professor in Sociology, Suzanne Franzway; Associate Professor in Education specialising in gender and education, Judith Gill; Structural Engineer, Dr Julie Mills; and Professor of Feminist Economics, Rhonda Sharp. The following is quoted from their abstract.
| Workplaces are changing rapidly in restructuring
economies, but equity and diversity remain elusive. The engineering
profession continues to experience difficulty attracting and retaining
women. Gender equity programs that focus on women’s training,
socialisation and non-traditional ‘choices’ overlook the centrality of
workplace cultures. This study reframes the issue, problematising the
work context, rather than women themselves. A qualitative investigation
of discourses and practices at a range of engineering sites will be
conducted. As the first major study of the work place culture in
Australian engineering the findings will provide a basis for change in
engineering industry, policy and education settings. |