Breaking ore and gender patterns - A gender aware and sustainable strategic R&I agenda for the Swedish mining industry

Purpose and goal

The aim has been to develop a gender aware research- and innovation agenda creating gender equal innovation systems and thereby contributing to a both sustainable and competitive development of the Swedish mining industry. The aim has also been to contribute to the development of a more general strategic agenda for the mining industry. The project has resulted in a freestanding agenda GenderSTRIM but also in input on attractive workplaces and gender equal mining in Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the Swedish Mining and Metal Producing Industry (STRIM).

Results and expected effects

Research and actions within the described areas in the GenderSTRIM and STRIM have potential for a large impact on the Swedish mining industry´s competiveness and for a vital and socially-sustainable mining work sector in Sweden. The research will also contribute to general and deeper understanding of problematic gender patterns in working life and how to change these. The agendas have resulted in a number of started research applications. The method of drawing up the agendas is a generic result per se, possible to implement in other Swedish sectors, e.g. forestry innovation systems.

Approach and implementation

The agendas have been drawn up by the research team together with mining research-ers, HR-managers at mining companies such as LKAB, Boliden, and Northland Resources and with actors from local and regional governments. We have e.g. held discussions, interviews and organised a workshop with the mining companies with the aim of exchanging knowledge, identifying development and research requirements, and drawing up a common vision and concrete objectives. Data from these activities were compiled, analysed and prioritised by the research team, forming the basis for the two agendas.