Unequal Stories (V1): Surfacing Stories of Gender Inequality in Design

Unequal Stories is a cross-national research project between Falmouth University (United Kingdom) and the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), investigating gender equality, diversity, and representation in the design disciplines in Higher Education (HE) and industry. Employing research through and for design, the pilot project (Unequal Stories [v1]) utilizes an innovative UX (user experience) data collection, mapping, and visualization tool to surface phenomenological Stories (lived-experiences) of gender inequality in design. By centering designers’ voices, the project aims to contribute to the ongoing sociological mapping of the field through participatory and inclusive strategies. In this article, the authors briefly situate Unequal Stories against a backdrop of an ongoing “diversity crisis” in design; describe the aims, methodology, and limitations of the project; and present the initial findings of the research via a thematic analysis. The results indicate a significant prevalence of marginalizing issues within the design industry—including bullying, sexual harassment, and exclusion; a compounding impact of intersectional inequalities; discrepancies in inequality within HE compared to the workplace; and the impact of gendered expectations and confidence as some of the contributing factors that lead to women not entering the design workforce after graduation, or leaving the design industry entirely. The findings also indicate that, despite statistical evidence to the contrary, gender inequality in design is frequently dismissed as a “non-issue.” These results contribute to the expanding body of literature on gender diversity and representation in design, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and practitioners.