Safe and Inclusive Workplaces: Intersectional Approaches to Addressing Gender-Based Violence for Minoritised Groups

We are offering a self-funded PhD position in Human Resource Management and Organisation Behaviour with Brunel Business School.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions about the project or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please reach out to Dr Rachel Morgan at rachel.morgan2@brunel.ac.uk.

The project

Are you passionate about understanding the complex dynamics and challenges within workplace environments, especially as they impact vulnerable and minoritised groups?

We invite you to join us in groundbreaking research that seeks to reshape how workplaces approach gender-based violence through an intersectional lens.

The "Safe and Inclusive Workplaces" project is committed to generating insights into the impact of gender-based violence in professional settings, particularly on minoritised groups who experience such violence disproportionately.

In a time of increased emphasis on social justice, inclusion, and diversity, grasping these dynamics is a milestone for establishing safer and more equitable workplaces.

Our project seeks to develop an innovative framework that will illustrate how various forms of violence impact workers from diverse backgrounds. We aim to examine the challenges they encounter and explore significant ways to provide support.

We welcome proposals that explore the specific needs of minoritised groups facing gender-based violence in the workplace.

This will allow us to understand how intersectional identities — including gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation — influence the risks of workplace violence and the effectiveness of existing support mechanisms.

Related research areas may include analysing how workplace policies can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse groups or how different forms of violence manifest, from customer/client interactions, peer relationships, personal relationships, and criminal intent affecting inclusion and safety.

This project also considers the impact of workplace structures and cultural norms, particularly for those who have historically been marginalised.

Other areas worth exploring include the role of organisational accountability, the impact of workplace culture on reporting practices, and the ways different industries handle gender-based violence.

You could examine how these factors influence career development and wellbeing among affected workers.

Finally, we are interested in frameworks that encourage organisations to adopt intersectional approaches in their policies and practices, supporting a safe and inclusive work environment for all.

Here are some helpful research questions:

• How do different intersectional identities impact the experiences of gender-based violence in the workplace?

• How can workplace policies be adapted to better support minoritised groups facing workplace violence?

• What role does workplace culture play in enabling or deterring gender-based violence?

• How can organisations be held accountable for ensuring inclusive and safe environments?

• What frameworks can guide workplaces in effectively addressing and preventing gender-based violence for diverse groups?

Methodologies

We encourage proposals that employ innovative qualitative research methodologies.

• Consider using ethnography studies to observe how employees’ experiences and perceptions evolve within specific workplace contexts.
• Multi-stage interviews with employees, managers, and diversity officers can provide a comprehensive view of the current challenges and opportunities in creating safer work environments.
• Reflective journals also offer participants a way to document their experiences, yielding rich qualitative data to track progress and inform potential packing solutions.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Rachel Morgan - Rachel (Beth) Morgan is a Lecturer in HRM-OB. Beth completed her PhD in Management at Brunel Business School, Brunel University London which looked at how those in tainted occupations manage disrespect. She has worked on a number of research projects broadly in the areas of gender, class, well-being and work. Proceeding her PhD, Beth has been collaborating on an impact case which has involved working with London councils with the aim to improve relations between members of the public and waste management workers. She has also worked as a Research Fellow in Gendered Excellence. For the past 6 years, Beth has been teaching on a variety of modules at Brunel Business School in HRM-OB and Marketing. In addition to her teaching activities, she is currently working on a number of ABS 4* publications with esteemed scholars.

Related Research Group(s)

Human Resource Management and Organization Behaviour - The group's five main themes of research include excellence in workplace innovation, diversity, team work, social inclusion, and employee selection.