A creative workshop about making better workplaces for women
Summary
- We are researching how the design of office environments impacts the lived experience of women who work in them.
- We are looking for EU/UK-based participants in a free, week-long, all-inclusive workshop in a 13th Century former monastery in Tuscany from 27 October to 3 November 2024, as part of an innovative research project.
- This project is a collaboration between researchers from TU Delft, The Centre for Applied Research in Art, Design, and Technology (Caradt), and Nigel and Louise.
- The process will be filmed as part of a documentary.
- Applications are currently open to cleaning staff and support workers only. If you work or have worked as a cleaner or a support worker in an office, please apply via the link below. If you think you are suitable for the workshop please email us!
What is the problem?
Over the past 50 years, the role of women in the workplace has transformed significantly. Women now have better opportunities and prospects for career development than ever before. However, despite this progress, women continue to face substantial disadvantages compared to men, particularly in leadership roles.
In the UK, women make up 48% of the workforce,1 yet only 8% of executives in S&P 500 companies are women, and there are only 10 female CEOs among British FTSE 100 companies.2 These disparities are rooted in gender biases, workplace cultures that often exclude women, challenges in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, and persistent pay inequalities.
As Caroline Criado Perez highlights in the book Invisible Women, there is a huge data gap when it comes to women in the workplace.3 Remarkably little research exists on how the design of office environments affect women differently to men. This is true for women at all levels of seniority and across different job roles; we have barely any data on how this impacts senior executives, managers, freelancers, receptionists, cleaners, or caterers – all of whom provide essential contributions to the workplace, but whose voices are rarely heard during the design of the spaces and systems they work in.
Our research investigates the way that office environments are designed, and the impact this has on the lived experiences of women. We will be gathering information and working to develop new ideas which could impact workspaces. To deepen our research, we are running an innovative research project aimed at raising awareness of current issues women face in offices, and improving the lived experiences of women who work in them.
Call for participants
We are looking for women4 who work in offices to help us gather information and collectively imagine radically different futures. We are running a week-long workshop in a former monastery in Tuscany from 27 October to 3 November 2024. The workshop is free to participate in, and we will cover your travel, accommodation, and food.5
Together, we will be:
- Sharing experiences we’ve had, and developing language to interpret and describe them
- Identifying patterns and commonalities between the experiences of women in different roles
- Collectively imagining radically different futures, with better and more inclusive ways of being and working
- Working with acclaimed dramaturgists Nigel and Louise to transform experiences and designs into different types of stories
We want this workshop to be inclusive, for women who work in offices in any capacity. As such, we have a budget for childcare, and we can cover the salary of lower income workers if participation in this workshop might impact your income.
The workshop will be filmed as part of a documentary, and your participation in this workshop may open up possibilities for follow-up workshops and events in the coming year.
If you are a woman based in Europe, and work or have worked in an office, please apply to join us!
Workshop team
This is an innovative research project looking at reducing workplace inequality, and it is supported by the Dutch Research Council.
This workshop is a collaboration between:
Dr. Amy Thomas
As Associate Professor at TU Delft, Amy has been researching gender and workplace design for the past few years, funded by the Dutch Research Council Talent Scheme. An architectural historian, Amy is interested in the sociology of design, and how everyday, overlooked elements of the built environment can reveal a lot about the society we live in. Her first book, The City in the City: Architecture and Change in London’s Financial District was recently published by MIT Press. This project continues her research themes of inequality and gender imbalance.
tudelft.nl/staff/a.r.thomas
Nigel and Louise
Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari are critically-acclaimed pioneers in the field of live performance, their work spans visual art, live art and theatre, and frequently involves communities in the creation of bold shows and performances. In this workshop they will use methods honed from years of working with communities to co-create theatrical narratives with participants. The pair have been at the cutting edge of performance for years; Louise is a former Royal Court playwright and co-founded Shunt, and Nigel is an associate director with Sulayman Al-Bassam Theatre. Together, they have worked with many cultural institutions in the UK including Tate Britain, Science Museum, Edinburgh Art Festival, ICA, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Museum of London, National Theatre Wales, Liverpool Biennial, Beaford Arts, Terrestrial, and New Wolsey Ipswich.
nigelandlouise.com
Dr. Ollie Palmer
An artist, film maker, and researcher at the Centre for Applied Research in Art, Design, and Technology, Ollie is interested in storytelling, embodied experience, and how the narratives we tell ourselves shape the way we see the world. He has exhibited installations, performances, and films around the world, including the V&A Museum, Palais de Tokyo, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Seoul Museum of Art, Opera Garnier de Paris.
What can you expect from us?
- A week-long workshop, consisting of around 6 hours per day of structured activities, in a beautiful 13th-century former monastery in rural Tuscany
- All travel, accommodation, and food included
- A nurturing, supportive atmosphere
- Plenty of down-time between activities
What do we expect from you?
- Availability during the week of 27 October – 3 November 2024
- Participation in a couple of online meetings prior to the trip (we can consult with you on your availability)
- Sharing of experiences, ideas, and opinions with peers
- Participation in group activities (about 6 hours per day) for 5 days
Please note, by coming on this retreat you are agreeing to be filmed for a documentary about this research. However, we are mindful that some of the issues addressed in the workshop may be sensitive and are very happy to discuss if you are feeling uncomfortable at any point. We will make it abundantly clear when we are going to film.
How do I apply?
- The application process is simple, and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
- Applications are currently open for cleaning staff and support workers only. If you work, or have worked in an office as a cleaner or support worker, please apply.
- You’ll hear from us soon. We will be scheduling online interviews with applicants within one week of the deadline.
FAQs
How much will it cost me to participate?
Nothing. This workshop is free and all-inclusive; we will cover the cost of your travel, accommodation, and food. Travel to your nearest airport will be via pre-booked standard-class public transport; we will book your flights and transfer within Italy.
If you will lose out on paid income by participating, we have a modest salary replacement budget.
What if I have childcare needs?
We have a childcare budget. If you would require childcare cover for the time you are participating in this workshop, let us know, and we can work out the best way to support you.
What if I have access needs?
You can let us know your access needs in the application form, and we will tty to accommodate them. Please note, the workshop is taking place in a historic 13th Century building, which carries its own restrictions. If you have any questions about access, please contact us.
What if I can’t make the whole workshop?
You can let us know your availability on the application form. Please note, we will give priority to people who can be there for the whole week.
Who is running this workshop?
This workshop is a collaboration between Dr. Amy Thomas (TU Delft), Nigel and Louise, and Dr. Ollie Palmer (Caradt).
For more information about the team, see here.
How many participants will there be, and how will they be chosen?
There will be 9-10 workshop participants. We will review all applications and attempt to create a group of women that includes a wide demographic of women. We will contact applicants one week after the deadline, and may require a brief video interview.
Any other questions?
Please send an email to info@performancerevue.com and we’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible!
Privacy policy
This project is taking place within the European Union. Data collected within this project is subject to European Data Laws, and specifically, the GDPR.
Information submitted via forms on this site will be used exclusively for the planning of a workshop on the subject of women in the workplace, to take place in October-November 2024. The data will not be used for any other purposes, and will not be shared with any third parties outside of the project team. The personal information of successful applicants will be retained for the duration of this project. The personal information of unsuccessful applicants will be deleted within 6 months of application.
You may withdraw your information at any time by emailing info@performancerevue.com. Amy Thomas (TU Delft) is the acting Data Protection Officer for this project, and can be contacted at a.r.thomas@tudelft.nl. Your data will not be shared with any third parties without your prior consent. If you believe that GDPR data policies are being breached, you are free to file a complaint with the relevant regulatory bodies.
Footnotes
- Francis-Devine, Brigid, and Georgina Hutton. “Women and the UK Economy.” House of Commons Library, March 4, 2024. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06838/SN06838.pdf. ↩︎
- Huerta, Gabriela. “In 2023, Women CEOs Finally Outnumbered CEOs Named John.” CEO Magazine (blog), March 8, 2024. https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/management-leadership/countries-with-the-most-female-ceos/. ↩︎
- Criado-Perez, Caroline. Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men. London: Vintage, 2020. ↩︎
- Conversations in this workshop will focus on women’s experiences in the workplace, including references to female physicality. Whether you identify as woman or non-binary, we welcome you if this focus resonates with you and you’d feel comfortable participating. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns about inclusion. ↩︎
- We will cover travel to and from your nearest airport by pre-booked standard-class public transport; flights, and transfer within Italy to the workshop venue. A ↩︎
- We have a childcare budget. If you would require childcare cover for the time you are participating in this workshop, let us know, and we can work out the best way to support you. ↩︎
- We have a modest budget to provide income relief to a few participants, if participation in this workshop will adversely affect your finances. ↩︎