Dr. Vendramin holds a PhD in sociology and master degrees in communication sciences and development studies. She is a project manager at the Work & Technology Research Unit of the Fondation Travail-Université in Namur, Belgium. She is involved in the design and implementation  of several research projects on social and economic aspects of new information and communication technology in industries and services. Her main research interests are flexible work practices, women’s work, evolving forms of labour relations and social bond at work.

Dr Vendramin is co-author of the European report ‘Widening Women’s Work in Information and Communication Technology”, WWW-ICT (IST-2001-34520), European Commission, July 2004

Women’s work in ICTs in Europe: how to explain disparities?
 

Abstract for the plenary session by Petra Vendramin

Project manager, Fondation Travail-Université of Namur

Why are there so few women among the professionals of information and communication technology (ICT)? What are the barriers to women choosing and developing careers in ICT professions, and what changes are likely to improve their access and position in this labour market? The presentation will start with a short quantitative overview of existing gender disparities in employment in this field, in Europe. The presentation will be based on a European research (Information Society Technologies, 5th Framework Programme, EU, 2002-2004). The research develops an integrated approach to the different aspects of gender disparity in the ICT professions. It combines explanatory factors linked to education and training, with the conditions of work and employment, and with the technical and professional culture of ICT. Research teams in seven countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and United Kingdom) have carried out in-depth empirical studies.

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