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PhD Completed in 2010 - 'Congratulation Barbara'
Thesis Title: 'Gendered Careers in Australian Policing'
Abstract
Few occupations have been so fully defined as masculine and as resistant to the integration of women as policing, and the notion that the occupation is an inherently unsuitable job for a woman has pervaded historical and contemporary discussions of women's roles in policing. Despite nearly 100 years of involvement, women officers continue to contest negative stereotypes of the female nature which are rooted in societal and cultural attitudes towards women, and which present an image of women as unsuitable for police work. There is a scarcity of research examining what motivates women to enter police services; their knowledge of policing prior to recruitment; the personal qualities or skills that enable women to ‘fit in' to the masculine organisation; the role of socialisation in women's perceptions of policing as a suitable career choice, and, what aspects of policing policewomen perceive as assisting their career aspirations, particularly in the Australian context.
The proposed study will examine perceptions, motivations, understandings and experiences of Australian policewomen in relation to policing as a career choice, and further, will investigate whether a relationship exists between perceptions of policing as a suitable career option and individual socialisation. The research has broad implications for masculinised workplaces and paramilitary organisations, and specific implications for female recruitment and retention strategies in police organisations. A multi-method approach will be used, including a questionnaire, and individual and group interviews with Australian female police constables in all Australian State Police Services.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Roberta Julian(TILES/School of Government, UTAS)
Dr Robert Hall (School of Government, UTAS)
Dr Warren Sproule (School of Sociology and Social Work, UTAS) |
