Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas explores gender in the workplace with a unique presentation.
Scientific research finds its way into the world in many ways, but the standard formats that are a part of everyday life for most scientists are written journal papers, posters and oral presentations at meetings. Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas, a Senior Research Fellow at Birmingham City University, recently joined us with a more unconventional approach. She was presenting her work on how gender affects people’s experiences of work and careers in higher education.
Her presentation took the form of a poem, composed from selected findings of the research. The poem, ‘glass’, features a composite of the participants voices, taken from research interview transcripts. The poetic sequences fit into four metaphors; the familiar concept of the glass ceiling, plus the less well-known glass cliff, escalator and closet.
Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas reading her poems: Glass
Kate spoke to us about how the performance aspect of her work came about.
“It wasn’t my intention at the beginning of this project to turn it into a poem. But as I became familiar with the interview transcripts, I saw how they could fit into the four metaphors.
“The poetry is a powerful way of getting different participants voices across. It gives a sense of emotion and allows me to play with the images people unwittingly give.”
“It’s quite freeing to go beyond the standard format of the conference presentation. It’s an entirely different way of engaging with audiences, it really opens up conversations.”
Kate also produced the illustrations for the glass metaphors featured above, as part of a graphic essay about the research, even though she’d never put pencil to paper like this before.
Glass ceiling
I said: "I want to progress"
She said: "Right now, you're not ready"
He said: "I think you're the best"
I said: "Forget it" 
Glass cliff
Fail here
Fail utterly
Your fall hastened by the weight
Of your peers' expectations 
Glass closet
The closet has no key
But let's just hope
We all like what we see When you
Come out, Sir
There's no guarantee 
Glass escalator
You wave and travel on
The motor down below hidden from view
The machinery of privilege concealed
Kate had advice for any researcher who wants to explore using different formats to present their work.
“I would say to be brave, be adventurous and enjoy it. It’s great doing something different.”
