We have investigated the formation of historic gender related policies, where gender was understood to impact across a wide spectrum of areas including curriculum and pedagogy, institutional structures, behaviours, postschool pathways, gendered understandings and practices and more. We have also talked to recent school leavers (18-24) about their experiences of gender at school.
In this next phase of the research we would like to work with selected secondary schools to investigate how school executive, teachers and (Year 11) students perceive the relevance of gender in schooling in the present, and how locally developed school policies and practices support gender equity. These may include a range of policies that are not overtly about gender (e.g. wellbeing) but that have these effects. We are interested in working with a small number of single sex schools and coeducational schools across a range of locations and demographics. Participation will involve interviews with school executive and teachers and focus groups with year 11 students. If you feel your school can offer insight into how gender equity principles can be developed and nurtured in a school environment, we would be very happy to talk to you about participating in our research.
We recognise that gender related issues are complex and subtle and that contemporary young people have a range of creative ways of communicating feelings, experiences and insights. So we are also offering a short filmmaking workshop to two schools for small groups of interested Year 11 students. These are led by the PhD candidate who is a professional filmmaker. This enables young people to engage in a creative and enjoyable process of representing and responding to gender-related issues pertaining to secondary schooling through their preferred media. Students who participate in this component will produce short (1-3min) films which touch on an aspect of gendered experience and schooling of their choice. In pilot workshops, recent school produced multimedia artefacts addressed the following aspects of school life: subject choice, gender stereotypes, uniforms, peer friendships, sport, identity. Materials produced will contribute to the doctoral research and to resources for schools. Students will learn and practice fundamental cinematic techniques and strategies under the guidance of an expert, incorporating image making, storyboarding, scripting, and film making technologies.
What are the benefits for my school community?
- Opportunity to share good practice on gender equity policies and practice
- Opportunity for young people to contribute their voices and perspectives on how gender impacts on the lives of secondary students
- Opportunities to develop filmmaking skills
When will the study take place?
2021
I'm interested – what are the next steps?
Contact the research team via the project email at: gendermatters@westernsydney.edu.au