Women Working in Botanic Gardens Globally

Abstract

This paper represents a condensed account of a thesis produced during the author’s studies at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The body of work represents the findings from a study into the current status of the barriers and opportunities for women working in botanic gardens. The research makes a global assessment of the careers of women working presently in botanic horticulture and science, from the perspective of those women working in the industry. A survey of 29 questions was produced and distributed to over 800 botanic gardens. With responses from women working across the globe, the report measures and correlates qualitative and quantitative data from participants, assessing areas such as their educational history, opportunities in their workplace, perceived barriers and hopes for the future. The survey produced 573 responses, with women participating from all parts of the globe from the USA to Yemen, New Zealand to Brazil. The report includes an introduction, methodology, a short literature review, the significant findings and conclusions arising from the data.