University of Bradford academic shortlisted for Global Equality and Diversity Award

Co-investigator Dr Jannine Williams, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour at the University of Bradford said: “It is an honour to be shortlisted for the award. The research highlights the important influence the media has in shaping public opinions generally, and within the workplace. Women tend to be represented less often than men in the media and in stereotypical ways which limit perceptions of the roles and contribution women can make, socially and economically.”

The research was funded by the ESRC and focuses on how women are portrayed in the media and how this impacts how women are viewed and view themselves, particularly in relation to leadership.

The research formed part of a seminar series which brought together leading international researchers, journalists and lobbyists with the aim of:

• raising awareness and understanding of gendered stereotypes of women and their effects;
• challenging the gendered construction of women leaders in the media;
• Identifying future research agendas for academics and practitioners in management and business.
• The seminar series concluded in June of this year, and the outcomes included an edited book (Gender, Media and Organization: Challenging Mis(s)Representations of Women Leaders and Managers, and a number of journal articles.

Co-investigators were Professor Sharon Mavin (Newcastle University), Dr Valerie Stead (Lancaster University) and Professor Carole Elliott (University of Roehampton). The GED awards are now in their fourth year and recognise outstanding individuals and organisations developing and adopting new approaches to equality and diversity in business.

This year's ceremony will take place at the Royal Victoria Dock in London on Thursday, 30 November 2017.