45% of women in games claim gender affects career progression

45 per cent of women employed in the UK game industry have said they have experienced barriers to career progression due to their gender, according to new research.

Next Gen Skills Academy’s Gender Balance survey, in which 40 per cent of women in the UK game industry took part, also revealed that a third of women had witnessed bullying or harassment in the workplace.

42 women said they had experienced bullying or harassment from someone in a position of authority. 84 per cent of respondents however cited good practice when it came to gender balance and inclusion at work.

The survey also asked participants what support they would like to receive in the industry, with 94 per cent stating they would like help with personal branding and finding their own voice.

43 per cent of women meanwhile said they would like the opportunity to attend a workshop or a talk addressing issues that will help companies work in a “gender balanced way”.

As a result of the survey, the Next Gen Skills Academy is setting up a series of workshops on the issue.

The first is aimed at women working in games to discuss any gender barriers they face. These will take place on February 2nd in London, February 3rd in Bristol, and February 4th in Manchester.

The second workshop will be aimed at employers interested in creating gender balanced working environments, and will take place in London on February 19th.

The Next Gen Skills Academy has also up an advisory group with professionals in HR and recruitment to continue analysing the survey’s results.

The full findings from the Gender Balance survey, which was funded by Creative Skillset’s Skills Investment Fund will be made public later in the year.

"We’ve had an overwhelming level of response to the survey and would like to thank everyone who contributed to let us know about the experiences and any problems they may face,” said Next Gen Skills Academy MD Gina Jackson.

“We are looking forward to exploring main issues further in our workshops in February and working with professionals in the games industry as well as trade, education and training bodies towards a more diverse and equal games industry in the years to come.”

Last year, Develop’s own investigation into women in games uncovered that women make up just 15 per cent of the UK game industry.

For more information on the gender balance workshops, visit the website.