One of the most significant economic and social changes to affect business and family life in both advanced and developing nations in the past twenty years has been the rising participation rates of women in the paid workforce. On the supply side, this phenomenon is fuelled by a number of factors, including: changes in women’s education levels, social expectations and family incomes, and on the demand side, by increasing labour market requirements for human capital. The implications of the shift are profound, touching all aspects of work, family and community life and requiring policy response and innovation in a range of contexts, from governments through to businesses, unions, faith and community based organisations, families - and individuals themselves.
There is considerable need to expand our knowledge and research expertise about women and work in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Recent public and political debates in Australia about maternity, family and carers’ leave, the implications of the changing industrial relations regulations on women, extended working hours and problems of finding appropriate child care, declining birth rates and low levels of female representation on company boards, have highlighted the need for quality research in the field.
The Women and Work Research Group provides the scholarly environment to establish a community of inquiry on all aspects of women, work, employment, family and community. It also provides a focal point for collaboration with established and emerging scholars in the field, and with research centres with similar interests in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Aims
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To establish a community of inquiry at Sydney University for research on all aspects of women, work and family in Australia and the region. By so doing, to contribute to the development of theory and methodology within the field of women and work.
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To build and foster research and consultancy relationships with business, union, government and community groups interested and active in the field of women, work and family.
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To conduct forums on women and work that link practitioners, policy makers and researchers and to assist organisations in the management of issues and development of policies relating to women, work and family.
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To provide a place for emerging researchers to study and collaborate on projects in the areas of women, work and family. In particular, to attract high quality PhD candidates from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region to undertake research that fits within the broad ambit of women and work. Further, to establish PhD scholarships in the areas of women, work, community and family.