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Research and theoretical papers
Published: 11-02-2019

Gender Diversity in the UAV (Drone) Industry

University of Worcester
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Joanne Kuzma

Director of Programmes, Worcester Business School
University of Worcester
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Kate Dobson

Lecturer Consultant, Worcester Business School
Gender roles male-dominated occupations Drones UAVs Women in STEM

Abstract

In the past decade, progress has been made with increasing the number of women employed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. However, their numbers remain far below their male colleagues. The purpose of this study is to analyse the gender differences in employment in the new STEM area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). We address the following research questions: (1) Do women have lower levels of employment within various job functions in the drone industry compared to their male colleagues? (2) Is there a gender difference in drone industry employment between various countries? Statistical analysis of personnel information found on the websites of 112 drone services firms in seven countries found that women were under-represented in the drone industry. They were also less likely to hold technical or managerial roles such as drone pilots or technical managers among all countries surveyed. The practical and theoretical implications of gender exclusion were reviewed.&

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How to Cite

Kuzma, J., & Dobson, K. (2019). Gender Diversity in the UAV (Drone) Industry. International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 10(3), 366–377. Retrieved from https://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/article/view/564