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Several members of the GRID-lab presented their research projects tapping different aspects of gender segregation in education, the workplace, and the domestic sphere at the G-Versity conference in Bern (June 12-14, 2024). The audience consisted of researchers across disciplines and practitioners with expertise in gender equality. The talks triggered engaging discussions and all lab members went home inspired and with many new ideas for future work!

Although there has been a trend towards more gender-equal rights in many countries, the labor market remains highly gender segregated. Women tend to flock to roles in healthcare, early education, and domestic work (HEED), while men tend to flock to roles in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). To discuss these issues, GRID Lab’s Esmée Schregardus, Onur Şahin, and Jenny Veldman took part in a symposium, Pathways to Parity, at the G-Versity conference in Bern. Together with two other speakers (Alexandra Lux and katharina Block), they discussed the psychological processes behind this gender segregation and identifies ways to increase gender inclusivity through policies and practices. They did so spread out over 5 different talks.

To kick things off, Alexandra Lux (Leuven ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ) focused on gendered paths in educational choices. Applying an intersectional lens and incorporating perspectives from the Global North and South, a review examines evidence as to why gendered educational choices in STEM and HEED occur and how interventions can address this.

Following up, Katharina Block (ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Amsterdam) discussed labor data and a cross-sectional study which demonstrates that the gender gap in career interests and representation in HEED (but not in STEM) is stronger in more economically developed countries. The underlying psychological and cultural factors were discussed.

Third in line was Onur Åžahin (Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ), to talk about men’s representation in HEED by focusing on increasing fathers’ involvement in childcare. An intervention that focuses on explicit coordination of the division of work and care in expecting couples was presented. The results of a longitudinal field experiment in which expecting couples are followed over time were shown.

Using interviews and text analyses, Esmée Schregardus (Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ) demonstrated the stark differences in the communication of employment conditions and norms between job vacancies in HEED and STEM fields. HEED vacancies place more emphasis on people-oriented aspects of work and provide more flexible work arrangements, while STEM vacancies emphasize things-oriented aspects and much less flexibility.

In the last part of the symposium, Jenny Veldman’s (Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ) presentation shows that once women enter male-dominated organizations (e.g., in STEM), they indeed often face such strong masculine norms. Results show that women navigate these workplaces by distancing themselves from their gender ingroup. This helps them cope in these environments but creates a barrier to gender diversity by further legitimizing the masculine norms in these workplaces.

Together, these talks highlight the psychological processes behind gender segregation in educational choices and interests, the division of labor in couples, and the workforce. Recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to reduce gender segregation and increase gender inclusivity were also discussed.