Exploring innovative techniques for analyzing big data to uncover disparities in gender equality
In an era where data-driven insights are shaping various sectors, the creative industries are no exception. Researchers and organisations are leveraging the power of big data to shed light on gender representation within this field, with a particular focus on visual art, media portrayal, and on-screen gender mix.
One of the most significant studies conducted in this regard is the collaboration between Google and the Geena Davis Institute. Using facial and speech recognition technology, they analysed the 100 highest-grossing live-action films in the US from 2014 to 2016, revealing that women occupied just 36% of screen time and 35% of the speaking time. In contrast, the gender mix among workers in the UK's creative industries has remained relatively flat, with women accounting for approximately 37% of the workforce.
These findings are further supported by studies exploring art market analysis, workforce diversity data in media, and survey and behavioural data related to gender perception. For instance, large datasets capturing exhibition records, auction results, and institutional gender representation have been analysed to examine how the gender composition of co-exhibiting artists influences an individual artist's likelihood of auction success.
In the realm of employment, these datasets highlight underrepresentation of women and lower socio-economic groups, particularly freelancers. Moreover, despite numerous initiatives, gender parity remains elusive in fields like television, comedy, and tech-related creative industries.
Big data studies also provide insights into media representation and on-screen gender mix. Quantitative evidence reveals that women are consistently underrepresented in exhibitions and auctions in the art world, and this underrepresentation is exacerbated when the gender makeup of collaborating or co-exhibiting artists is male-dominated. This suggests institutional gender bias not just against individual women artists but also due to the gender environment surrounding them.
The data signal that media and creative industries reflect societal gender inequalities, including persistent pay gaps, career advancement hurdles, and the hostile climate experienced by women. These factors, quantified through big datasets, illustrate how on-screen gender mixes often skew male or privileged groups, limiting diversity and authentic portrayal.
In conclusion, the use of non-confidential big datasets enables robust quantitative analyses that reveal systemic gender inequalities in creative industries. These findings highlight that gender representation is not just an individual issue but closely linked to institutional contexts, impacting visibility, career progression, and media portrayal. The evidence also underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing not only individual biases but also structural barriers and cultural norms to achieve meaningful gender parity on screen and behind the scenes.
As the creative industries continue to evolve, the potential of these new methods is immense. However, to realise this potential, we need to encourage and support creative organisations to securely share their non-confidential data. This collaborative approach will undoubtedly pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive creative landscape.
- The power of big data is being harnessed to scrutinize gender representation within various creative industries, such as visual art and media portrayal.
- Google, in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute, utilized facial and speech recognition technology to examine gender representation in the top 100 US live-action films from 2014 to 2016, discovering that women accounted for only 36% of screen time and 35% of the speaking time.
- Analyses of workforce diversity data in the UK's creative industries indicate that women comprise around 37% of the workforce.
- Data from art market analysis reveals that women are underrepresented in exhibitions and auctions, with a male-dominated gender environment further exacerbating this issue.
- Despite numerous initiatives, gender parity continues to evade fields like television, comedy, and tech-related creative industries.
- Big data studies show that women face underrepresentation and lower socio-economic groups, particularly freelancers, in the creative employment sector.
- Quantitative evidence demonstrates that women are consistently underrepresented in the art world, with this underrepresentation amplified in male-dominated co-exhibitions.
- Analysis of large datasets in the creative industries highlights societal gender inequalities, including persistent pay gaps, career advancement hurdles, and a challenging climate for women.
- These quantified inequalities underline how on-screen gender mixes frequently skew male or privileged groups, limiting diversity and authentic portrayal.
- The use of big datasets illuminates systemic gender inequalities in creative industries, emphasizing that gender representation goes beyond individual issues to encompass institutional contexts.
- These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions beyond addressing individual biases, focusing on structural barriers and cultural norms to foster meaningful gender parity in creative landscapes.
- In the realm of education and self-development, online platforms provide skills training, personal growth, and career development opportunities to cater to the evolving creative industries.
- Sustainable living and environmental science are becoming essential components of the home-and-garden and lifestyle sectors, with data and cloud computing playing a crucial role in facilitating eco-friendly practices.
- Sports analysis, incorporating technology, helps athletes improve performance and aids coaches in designing strategies for optimal outcomes in various sports disciplines.
- Mindfulness, a key skill in personal growth, is increasingly employed in the fields of art, media, and other creative industries to enhance creativity, focus, and wellbeing.
