Next seminar in series on gender misrepresentation of women leaders and professionals in the media announced

, who lectures in Human Resource Management at the University of Bradford School of Management, is part of the research group who secured the funding and organised the three-year seminar series, which focuses on gendered media misrepresentations of women leaders and professionals. The previous seminar in March was held at Bradford School of Management.

Fellow research group member Dr Valerie Stead, of Lancaster University Management School, has carried out research into the experiences of women leaders that illuminates ‘invisible’ rules, where women in the workplace often feel assessed by their appearance rather than their ability.

This was recently highlighted in the media when news of a woman being sent home from work for not wearing high heels hit the headlines. Dr Stead wrote about this in an article in HR Magazine.

The theme of next month’s seminar is Developing Research Capacity for Management and Business Studies with the title “Multi-disciplinary Approaches: Developing Research Priorities and Impact”.

It is being hosted by Lancaster University Department of Leadership and Management’s Academy for Women, Diversity and Leadership at the Charles Carter Building, Lancaster University Management School.

Dr Williams said: “The focus of the next seminar is on developing research priorities and impact. We will introduce participants to different multi-disciplinary approaches, including sharing examples of research and impact, the seminar will explore effective approaches to tackling gendered media misrepresentations of women professionals and leaders and how we might put those into practice to gain maximum impact.”

The seminar series has brought together leading international researchers from multiple disciplines, journalists, lobbyists and those committed to the progress of women professionals and leaders.

In total, there will be nine seminars over three years. They follow the same three themes:

- Gendered media misrepresentations: why do they matter and how do we know?

- Developing research capacity for management and business studies: multidisciplinary methodologies, theories and concepts/analysing media texts and visual methods

- Developing priority research agendas and maximising impact

Dr Williams said: “The media is a powerful player in the promotion or otherwise of gender equality worldwide and media representations of women have great impact on how women are viewed and view themselves.

“However, a continued media focus on women's gender, not competence, ignores women's achievements as leaders and professionals, misrepresenting their ability, contribution and advancement. This innovative seminar series explores, examines and challenges how media shapes and influences the way in which women are constructed as professionals and leaders.”

The speakers at next month’s seminar will be:

Charlotte Valeur
Charlotte Valeur is the Founder and Chair of Board Apprentice Ltd., a company committed to developing diversification on boards through a board apprentice scheme. Charlotte is the Managing Director of GFG Ltd, a Governance Consultancy. She has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Industry as an Investment Banker in Denmark and UK, has extensive board experience as a Non-Executive Director (NED) and currently holds Chair and NED positions on various boards.

Professor Anita Biressi
Anita Biressi is Professor of Media and Society in the Department of Media, Culture and Language at the University of Roehampton. She is Convenor of the MA Media, Communication and Culture. Her research interests include: documentary and popular factual programming, popular journalism, crime and law and order, class difference in contemporary British culture and gender and political voice.

Professor Rosalind Gill
Professor Rosalind Gill joined City University London in October 2013. With an interdisciplinary background, she has worked across a number of disciplines including Sociology, Gender Studies and Media and Communications with posts at Goldsmiths and King's College London, and the LSE's interdisciplinary Gender Institute. Rosalind is known for her research interests in gender and media, cultural and creative work, and mediated intimacy.

Other members of the research group are Dr Valerie Stead of Lancaster University Management School, Professor Carole Elliott of Durham Business School and Professor Sharon Mavin from Roehampton University.

To book your place at the 15th June ESRC funded Seminar 6, email [email protected]