When you recognize the world in its diversity, you can design solutions that fit reality better than ideas or products that ignore how complex humans truly are. Gender is a social reality which cannot be made unseen. There is extensive research and case studies available to us that helps us understand how gender shapes the world we live in; it is our responsibility to act on it. Gendered Innovations offers a radically new approach to research and development that breaks from traditional scientific approaches that can cause harm and expands inclusion and equity by embedding gender analysis into all forms of innovation.
Historically, insufficient consideration of gender in research and development processes has led to products, services, and measures that can be classified as inadequate, negligible, and even harmful to half of the human population. In response, a large international research consortium led by Londa Schiebinger at Stanford University, and funded by the European Commission, has developed the concept of Gendered Innovations. Gendered Innovations uses methods of sex, gender, and intersectionality analysis to create new knowledge in medicine, engineering, and information and communications technology (ICT). The concept is now receiving much attention in academic discourse and is supported by numerous case studies (e.g., Gender Bias in AI).
Gendered Innovations (GI) is an eye-opener which inspires a shift in perspective and approach. Once you gain the analytical skills of GI, you will quickly see and understand the gender biases in research, product development and innovation—from the number of women and underrepresented groups in research development to the underlying biases and assumptions that guide product design. The concept and methods of Gendered Innovations can offer you an approach to research, engineering and design that includes all humans and avoids shortcomings by leaving out important bodies, perspectives, and needs. GI is a smart way to design for good, which leads to better solutions as well increased opportunities, market segments and consumer groups for your products.
