The future of work – what kind of work? Impacts of gender on the definition of work and research methodology

Abstract

This article shows that many political and academic debates on the future of work do not adequately take the gender structure of work into account, and argues that what is needed is not only the incorporation of gender into research, but a different methodological approach. This approach has to improve the dialogue between different scientific disciplines (interdisciplinary) and between researchers and actors in the practical world (cooperation between research and practice). In addition, research has to reflect upon and inspect its prejudices, taking into account that gendered structures are present in every aspect of our lives. This article describes how these ideas were realised through the development of ‘Forschungswerkstätten’ (research workshops) and reports on some experiences from the field. The article concludes by presenting some of the difficulties and perspectives of this approach.