This is the first in the Northern Police Research Webinar Series for Autumn 2024.

Hindrances to Inclusive Work Environment: Gender-Based Harassment and Negative Attitudes towards Women in the Police

Presenters: Finnborg S. Steinþórsdóttir & Gyða M. Pétursdóttir

The research draws on a whole population survey data collected within the Icelandic police in 2022. Preliminary findings show high rates of gender-based harassment among women, especially those who work as police officers. Moreover, men are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards equality and improved position of women in the police. We conclude that current equality objectives of increasing women’s representation are ambivalent, as the police environment aims to push women back out again. To counter this, attention should be directed towards promoting an inclusive work environment for all members of the police.

Finnborg Salome Steinþórsdóttir, adjunct lecturer in Gender Studies Faculty of Political Science, University of Iceland. Her research focus is on gendered power relations in organisations, gender-based violence and strategies to progress equality, including gender budgeting and gender mainstreaming. She serves as a gender expert on the Icelandic National Commissioner of the Police External Professional Council on discrimination, gender and sexual harassment, gender violence and bullying and the University of Iceland’s Professional Council on responding to gender-related and sexual harassment and other sexual violence.

Gyða Margrét Pétursdóttir, Professor in Gender Studies, Faculty of Political Science, University of Iceland. Her fields of expertise include gender relations, work cultures, equality within organizations, work life balance, masculinities, femininities, and gender-based violence. She has published in various international peer-reviewed journals.