Leadership in the Digital Realm: an Opportunity Beyond the Gender Trap?

Objective: This project examines the leadership relationships in the digital realms that affect ever more people, and their effect on discrimination on the basis of gender. This is necessary as women are still under-represented in leadership positions. Their rise to the top is still hindered by a wide variety of the social, structural and institutional norms. The same applies to queer and non-binary people, especially those at the interface of gender and social class, ethnicity, religion and other marginalized people. When people think about leadership, they (still) think primarily about men. Even in the digital age, this has (still) not changed.

We examine which forms of discrimination affect the players in digital working environments (and the extent) as well as the strategies and methods used to promote gender equality. We expect the forms of discrimination manifest differently in digital space and that will not only give rise to new discourses about gender but also new approaches for shaping leadership and leadership relations in a participative manner.

Methodology: Alongside possible surveys, we will use guided interviews with managers and employees in various teams from the innovation fields of the cultural and creative sectors and the knowledge economy. To explore the tacit influencing factors of leadership, we will also be using artistic research methods (e.g. visual methods), including methods from feminist management research.

Engagement: These findings are used to develop methods that are then taught in practical training and further education. The insights are also suitable for developing personal skills and self-reflection as a manager or follower. We develop practical recommendations that are relevant in all sectors of the research institute’s work.

Call for participation in the research project (PDF 132 KB)