Women Working in Botanic Gardens Globally

Career Barriers and Opportunities in Horticulture and Science

Authors

  • Katherine Braithwaite Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2015.73

Abstract

This paper represents a condensed account of a thesis produced during the author’s studies at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The body of work represents the findings from a study into the current status of the barriers and opportunities for women working in botanic gardens. The research makes a global assessment of the careers of women working presently in botanic horticulture and science, from the perspective of those women working in the industry. A survey of 29 questions was produced and distributed to over 800 botanic gardens. With responses from women working across the globe, the report measures and correlates qualitative and quantitative data from participants, assessing areas such as their educational history, opportunities in their workplace, perceived barriers and hopes for the future. The survey produced 573 responses, with women participating from all parts of the globe from the USA to Yemen, New Zealand to Brazil. The report includes an introduction, methodology, a short literature review, the significant findings and conclusions arising from the data.

Author Biography

Katherine Braithwaite, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Student Kew Diploma

References

BARRY, P., DOWNING, A.J., SMITH, J.J., MEAD, P.B., WOODWARD, F.W. & WILLIAMS, H.T. (1853–1874). The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste. James Vice Jr., New York.

CATALYST (2013). Women in male-dominated industries and occupations in U.S. and Canada. Available online: http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-male-dominated-industries-andoccupations-us-and-canada (accessed February 2015).

E3 MARKETING (2012). Cultivating Skills in Historic and Botanic Gardens: Careers, Occupations and Skills Required for the Management and Maintenance of Historic and Botanic Gardens. Lantra, Coventry.

LEVITAN, D.J. (2015). Why the modern world is bad for your brain. The Guardian. Available online: http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jan/18/modernworld-bad-for-brain-daniel-jlevitin-organized-mind-information-overload (accessed February 2015).

WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL (2013). Maximising women’s contribution to future economic growth. Available online: http://womensbusinesscouncil.dcms.gov.uk/the-fullreport/

(accessed July 2015).

WORLD BANK (2008). Ready For Work – Increasing economic opportunities for adolescent girls and young women. Available online: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTGENDER/Resources/ReadyforWorkfactsheet.pdf (accessed August 2015).

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Published

2015-11-10

How to Cite

Braithwaite, K. (2015). Women Working in Botanic Gardens Globally : Career Barriers and Opportunities in Horticulture and Science. Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, (13), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2015.73

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