Objective The project aims at clarifying the process of how women scientists engaged in technological R&D respond to the needs of women end-users. The study will display economic and socio-cultural factors that influence gender-specific end-user interaction with women researchers by comparing and analysing gender equality in R&D in the cases of two transition economies - Poland and China - and two technological applications - teleservices and agricultural implement. The Polish and Chinese societies are experiencing a rapid economic and technological transition. Demand for technology is diversifying and the structures of end-users in different technological fields are being re-shaped. In the process, women in China and Poland have become crucial user groups for technical applications both in the traditional agricultural sector and the rapidly growing telecom sector.This development requires more gender-specific R&D and the harnessing of social capital of women in R&D. An attractive environment for investors and strong scientific bases make both China and Poland significant actors in technological research. Women have equal opportunities for higher education in these countries and in Poland women are generally better educated than men. However, women are poorly represented in scientific research, particularly in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. Moreover, the male perspective is the norm in technological R&D and articulation of demand for new products is the prerogative of men. Gender equality may be on the political agenda but is hardly addressed in technological R&D.This study will clarify the opportunities for women scientists in technological R&D to interact with women end-users. Based on the results of the study, policy recommendations will be formulated for better gender equality in technological R&D. This study will increase awareness and comprehension of the gender issue in scientific research among decision makers and the broader public. Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizationssocial sciencessociologysocial issuessocial inequalitiesgender inequalitynatural sciencessocial sciencessociologygender studiesgender equality Keywords Gender Gender equality Gender-specific R&D Women end-users Women scientists Programme(s) FP6-SOCIETY - Science and society: specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration : "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) SOCIETY-WP2004-3.3.3 - Gender research Call for proposal FP6-2004-SCIENCE-AND-SOCIETY-10 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme SSA - Specific Support Action Coordinator LUNDS UNIVERSITET EU contribution No data Address Paradisgatan 5C LUND Sweden See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT China EU contribution No data Address No. 55, Bei Cai Gong Zhuang, Haidian District BEIJING See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data POLITECHNIKA WARSZAWSKA Poland EU contribution No data Address Pl. Politechniki 1 WARSZAW See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
