Academic women and travel

To date, focus on the experiences of academic women travelling abroad for their institutions has been an under-researched area (see Zapata-Sepulveda et al, 2016; Sikes, 2006). Typically, the research focus, which can include personal safety and security, tends to concentrate on the differences between men and women in terms of trip chaining, driving behaviour, mode choice, and vehicle design (Herbel 2014).

Studies do show that, of non-academic women who travel, 47% travel for business and comprise the fastest growing segment of business travellers (Skift, quoted in Maiden Voyage 2016). Further, 31% of 200 female business travellers surveyed by Maiden Voyage have suffered sexual harassment whilst travelling and 70.2% believed that travel suppliers should try harder to address the needs of women business travellers. Significantly, the majority of the women surveyed (79%) claimed that they were under-prepared to deal with [negative] incidents they encounter. Of those who were prepared by their employer, the training tended to be non-gender specific.

This pilot study, which builds on Osmond’s (2013) and Osmond and Woodcock’s (2015) focus on mobility related gender harassment in relating to commuting and travel within a UK city, considers the experiences of academic women when travelling aboard on work related business for their higher education institution.