The three-year Women in Media and Communication project is funded by the European Social Fund, and aims to identify problems faced by women in the media industry.
Lorraine Illingworth, research assistant for the project, told dotJournalism that previous research has shown that the media industry is often very tough on female employees. Juggling work with motherhood has been the single biggest issue among those interviewed so far.
"Journalism in particular is very difficult for women because it is such a male-dominated industry," said Ms Illingworth.
"But surprisingly, even in a predominantly female industry like publishing the same problems occur. One female chief executive told us that she would never employ a female of child-bearing age, and even referred to children as brats."
The project aims to consult around 500 women in the next few months. Initial information was gathered through a postal survey, but more volunteers are needed for confidential telephone interviews. Volunteers must be based or have worked in Scotland.
Ultimately the researchers hope that the study will raise awareness of these issues, and the team will be working with 15 media companies this year to help them develop models of best practice for gender-based employment policies.
More news from dotJournalism:
Fairer sex lags behind online
Women to seize the news agenda on International Women's Day
See also:
Aberdeeen Business School: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/abs
European Social Fund: http://www.esf.gov.uk
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