Gender inclusiveness, a goal not yet fully achieved
A thesis presented at the University of Pisa takes stock of STEM fields
Gender inclusiveness as a goal yet to be fully achieved. This is no small matter, even in STEM fields, which are often characterised by an imbalance of status and power in this respect. This is the subject of Esmeralda Ceraj’s research, presented in the form of a thesis at the University of Pisa’s Department of Political Science, Business Communication and Human Resources Policy.
“Donne e STEM: il contributo chiave delle risorse umane nella promozione dell’inclusività. Un’analisi qualitativa” (Women and STEM: the key contribution of human resources in promoting inclusiveness. A qualitative analysis) is based on the observation there is still a great deal of gender disparity in companies, especially in sectors that have always been traditionally dominated by men, despite the fact that many recent policies have aimed to counteract this dominance. In the introduction, Ceraj emphasises that in order to tackle prejudices, which are most often hidden by unconscious bias, a good dose of skills ‘injection’ is needed, including through the use of storytelling, to try and change the misconception that STEM is seen as a uniquely male-dominated path.
The thesis first examines the “current state of gender equality” both in general terms and with regard to STEM in particular. Then – also using a particular narrative research method based on semi-structured interviews – a specific case study (that of Baker Hughes, an oil company that has made gender equality one of its guiding principles) and a series of “stories that aim to capture emotions, personal reflections that might elude more formal methodologies” are examined.
The research not only identifies existing gender barriers, but also delves deeply into individual experiences and identifies ways to improve industrial relations to achieve greater gender equality. Approaches that, once again, focus on a particular evolution of corporate culture that embraces inclusiveness as well as efficiency.
Esmeralda Ceraj, Thesis, University of Pisa, Political Science, Corporate Communication and Human Resources Policy, 2024
A thesis presented at the University of Pisa takes stock of STEM fields
Gender inclusiveness as a goal yet to be fully achieved. This is no small matter, even in STEM fields, which are often characterised by an imbalance of status and power in this respect. This is the subject of Esmeralda Ceraj’s research, presented in the form of a thesis at the University of Pisa’s Department of Political Science, Business Communication and Human Resources Policy.
“Donne e STEM: il contributo chiave delle risorse umane nella promozione dell’inclusività. Un’analisi qualitativa” (Women and STEM: the key contribution of human resources in promoting inclusiveness. A qualitative analysis) is based on the observation there is still a great deal of gender disparity in companies, especially in sectors that have always been traditionally dominated by men, despite the fact that many recent policies have aimed to counteract this dominance. In the introduction, Ceraj emphasises that in order to tackle prejudices, which are most often hidden by unconscious bias, a good dose of skills ‘injection’ is needed, including through the use of storytelling, to try and change the misconception that STEM is seen as a uniquely male-dominated path.
The thesis first examines the “current state of gender equality” both in general terms and with regard to STEM in particular. Then – also using a particular narrative research method based on semi-structured interviews – a specific case study (that of Baker Hughes, an oil company that has made gender equality one of its guiding principles) and a series of “stories that aim to capture emotions, personal reflections that might elude more formal methodologies” are examined.
The research not only identifies existing gender barriers, but also delves deeply into individual experiences and identifies ways to improve industrial relations to achieve greater gender equality. Approaches that, once again, focus on a particular evolution of corporate culture that embraces inclusiveness as well as efficiency.
Esmeralda Ceraj, Thesis, University of Pisa, Political Science, Corporate Communication and Human Resources Policy, 2024