Gender Perspectives for a Renewed Design Culture

This book explores the evolving role of women in scientific, professional, and public spheres, with a special focus on design, not only as a field but also as a strategic tool for societal change. The first section examines Gender and Science, addressing the promotion of gender-inclusive cultures within academia. Contributions from scholars across disciplines delve into how gender roles shape academic careers, influencing choices and opportunities for success. The second section shifts to professional practice, bringing together designers and practitioners to reflect on the changing landscape of the design industry. It investigates the presence and achievements of women in design and how the field itself can become a catalyst for reducing gender disparities through inclusive approaches to objects, spaces, and services. The third section broadens the scope to urban contexts, discussing the right to the city from a gendered perspective. It highlights the importance of designing urban environments that foster safety, accessibility, and social equity, ensuring women's and other genders' needs and experiences are embedded in the fabric of public spaces and lives. A valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and students in design, social sciences, and gender studies, this book offers critical insights into the shifting dynamics of gender in academic, professional, and civic life, challenging norms and envisioning a more inclusive future.

Foreword by Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano Explores the strategic design approach to gender studies Highlights women's accomplishments in science and culture

Inhalt

Towards a Cultural Change: the Role of Academia.- Beyond Borders: Network Synergy in Gender Studies.- Academics Working from Home: Spatial Relations between Men and Women.- Mapping the Evolution of Italian Design through the Lens of Scientific Research: a Gender Perspective.- Invisible Designers: Addressing the Gender Gap in Design Professions.- Service Design is Woman. An Inquiry on the Massive Presence of Women in the Service Design Field.- Design and Sustainability: an Eco-feminist Perspective.- Boundary Objects: Reimagining Design for Longevity and Gender Equality.- Navigating Menopause through Design. Participatory Pathways to Innovation.- Urban Life, Emerging Voices, and the Negotiation of Everyday Space.- Systemic Proximity Approach to Empower Migrant Women. A Situated Case Study in Milan.- Fear in Public Space: Mapping the City as a Collective Practice.- Queering the City: Reclaiming Space between Spontaneous Actions and Design Practices.