Abstract
With digitalisation, the male-dominated bioeconomy sector becomes intertwined with the male-dominated tech sector. We focus on the effects on gender equality within the bioeconomy sector when these two gender unequal sectors are merged. We review the existing literature by studying three concepts – bioeconomy, digitalisation and gender – as a way to highlight the current state of knowledge on gender in the Nordic digitalised bioeconomy. Through this investigation we provide directions for future research and suggest actions to be taken. The contemporary literature discusses two major areas of focus: the impact of history on today’s situation and gender inequality as a women’s issue. We propose four areas of future research focus: moving beyond a historical perspective, understanding the effectiveness of women-only activities, focusing on men’s role in gender equality work, and developing sustainability. We identify four points of action for practitioners in the literature: female role models, mentorship programmes, networks for young professionals and students and incorporating gender into bioeconomy-related education. However, together with the proposed future research, we suggest two considerations when practitioners in the Nordic digitalised bioeconomy take action: being mindful of the purpose and structure of women-only activities and including men when working with gender issues.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 639-654 |
Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 7-8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
MoE publication type | A2 Review article in a scientific journal |
Funding
Also, we would like to thank NIKK, EIS SNS and NKJ for making this research possible by providing working hours for the authors. This work was partly supported by NIKK – “Nordisk information för kunskap om kön” – within the project “Den digitala bioekonomin – en metodhandbok för en jämställd nordisk bioekonomi”.