Gender, Technology, Participation

The Gender, Technology, Participation project is led by the Grieg Academy (Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design – KMD) and the Centre for Women’s and Gender Research (Faculty of Humanities) at the University of Bergen. The project is funded by the University of Bergen’s Humanities Strategy.

Our mission is to address gender imbalances in music and sound technologies by working for equal access, representation, and opportunity for women, LGB, trans, and non-binary people. We focus on creating change by developing research, advancing education, and building networks that advocate for gender equity and representation in all areas of musical life.

Over the past 80 years, sound technologies have opened up vast possibilities for creativity and participation, whilst both exposing and reproducing a range of gender disparities. From instruments and recording studios to digital platforms and AI systems, there is an urgent need to understand why these inequalities persist and to advocate for technologies that are accessible and inclusive for all—an essential step toward addressing broader gender imbalances in musical life.

To bring about change, we combine research, education, and advocacy. We analyse the historical and structural roots of inequality in music technology; embed inclusive perspectives into education and training; collaborate with industry and policy partners to influence design and practice; and strengthen networks and communities that amplify underrepresented voices in musical life.

We take an intersectional approach, recognising how gender intersects with ethnicity, socio-economic class, age, and dis/ability in shaping access, opportunity, and representation.

Research

Our research is building an open database on gender and music technologies, creating a shared resource for the sector. Current projects include What’s in the Mix, a study of gender in sound engineering and production, and research on electric guitar design, exploring how instruments reflect and reproduce gendered identities. Read more about the project's research here. (external link)