Dissemination Event Tuesday 5th December 2006
Museum of Science & Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester
The WEWIN Research team have spent the last 12 months attempting to evaluate working practices and occupational culture in engineering organisations across the North West by comparing and contrasting the experiences of men and women in the industry. The team explored the explanations for the persistence of occupational segregation and also recognised that there are a multitude of ways in which these barriers can be overcome in the workplace. The main findings of the project can be found on the Project Findings page.
The event was very successful with over 50 delegates in attendance. The day began with a presentation "Women, Get SET" from Marie-Noëlle Barton (MBE), who has worked tirelessly for over 20 years (in association with the Women into Science and Engineering - WISE Campaign) to encourage young women into non-traditional roles. The presentation concentrated on the reasons why women do not enter science, engineering, technology (SET) and construction industries. Marie-Noëlle also examined practical solutions to these problems for those in industry, and for those working in careers advice.
This was followed by the presentation by the WEWIN team outlining the main findings of the project. (Further information, and the presentation slides can be found on the Project Findings page.)
The afternoon session began with a presentation by Professor Barbara Bagilhole, Professor of Social Policy and Equal Opportunities at the University of Loughborough entitled "Reflections on Women, Civil Engineering and the UK Construction Industry". This presentation examined findings from a recent project entitled "Improving Women Engineers' Careers in Large Construction Companies". The project looked at womens' career development in comparison to that of men, and found that current employment practices work against women, and that this was a difficult industry for women to work in.
The event had three parallel workshops, details and summaries of discussions can be found below:
1) Gender Pay Gap - discussion guide and conclusions
2) Perceptions (Management vs Employees) - discussion guide and conclusions
3) Work-Life Balance - discussion guide and conclusions