Women, Economy and Labour Relations – Serie

Ecofeminism is defined as a unique academic discipline, theoretical framework, and political and philosophical movement centred around both environmental and feminist concerns. With a special focus on education and underrepresented geographical locations, Ecofeminism on the Edge: Theory and Practice is an inclusive collection of theories, discourses, art, identities, and practices related to this discipline.Expert contributors collaborate with junior scholars and early-stage researchers to demonstrate the compatibilities between different generations, academic backgrounds, political views, and gender perspectives for a holistic, globally conscious approach to ecofeminism and ecofeminist studies. Chapters focus on regions not yet represented in this discipline as well as emerging educational practices to provide a truly inclusive approach to the many creative solutions ecofeminism offers. Topics explored include promoting ecofeminisms plural as potential solutions for environmental and social crises, gender inequality, labour issues, and capitalism.An interdisciplinary approach to an interdisciplinary field, Ecofeminism on the Edge: Theory and Practice understands ecofeminism as a connective point between issues of gender and the environment, one with strong solutional potential for two distinct, yet often interconnected, fields.

Feminist critique has yet to deconstruct the new ‘superwoman’ ideal: the modern woman who can and must have everything, but who, in reality, is never good enough. This media myth is fertile ground for harmful practices that focus on a woman’s own body and of course for specific consumerist behaviours. Media equalization of success, self-control, and attractiveness with a thin, healthy body frame these achievements as individual responsibility. Thus, in a society where women can now do anything, only the woman herself can be blamed if she does not achieve her full potential. Combining scientific approach with personal voices, Eating Disorders in a Capitalist World presents a critical analysis of the social context of eating disorders based on in-depth interviews with women suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Employing a variety of influential socio-cultural theories, Jelena Balabanić Mavrović closely relates various environmental influences on the development of low self-esteem, poor self-image and body dissatisfaction to the shaping of normative femininity and the experience of gender socialization in Western society. Chapters also provide a detailed review of the socio-historical development of discourses and practices related to anorexia and bulimia, including ‘healthism’, the war on obesity, and other current trends.Providing a new perspective on female identity, Eating Disorders in a Capitalist World offers a complete insight into the world of eating disorders in today’s society, exposing how new forms of freedom for women have also become new forms of self-surveillance.

Freelancing has become a dominant work mode in communication industries such as public relations, marketing communications, digital media, and corporate communication, offering flexibility, autonomy, and creative freedom to workers, as well as dynamic access to specialized skills for businesses. However, below this shiny surface lies a complex reality marked by job insecurity, unequal access to job opportunities, and persistent gender constraints. Studies that looked at this profession in the communication industries through the lens of gender have been few and far between.Gender and Freelancing in the Communication Industries: Experiences, Practices, Discourses is the first edited volume to focus specifically and exclusively on the intersection of gender and freelancing within the communication industries, challenging the assumption that freelancing is inherently liberating. The book investigates how gendered narratives, structural inequalities, and national labour policies influence freelancers’ identities, career dynamics, and everyday practices, offering a comprehensive perspective of national and international viewpoints and inviting critical reflection on equity, identity, and sustainability in the gig economy.Divided into three thematic sections, the chapters examine discourses surrounding resilience and empowerment in online communities, explore exclusionary networking practices, and uncover how women navigate precarity, work-life balance, and professional isolation. Contributors draw from diverse methods including autoethnography, qualitative interviews, and generational analysis to capture the lived realities of freelance communication professionals.This collected volume benefits professionals from various fields, including communication specialists, researchers, business leaders, and policymakers. Freelancers seeking to understand their role in the economy, communication experts exploring gender dynamics in their industry, and researchers interested in the intersection of gender, work, and freelancing will find valuable insights.

Despite a century of progress since the realisation of women's suffrage in the US and UK, gender inequalities persist in politics, in the workplace, and within organisations. The persistent lack of women in influential positions, shaped by structural bias, harassment, and discrimination, underscores the hurdles that women still encounter. Despite progress, significant barriers remain, casting a shadow over women in the professional spheres.In Gender Equality in the Professional Workplace, author Karen R. Vollum-Dix delves into the ongoing gender equality struggle by examining women's challenges in powerful roles. She addresses issues like workplace harassment, institutional misogyny, and executive role disparities. Vollum-Dix aims to inspire impactful actions for lasting change. Introducing the new concept of Auto-duoethnography and incorporating Ecofeminism, Radical Feminism, and Futures and Foresight, the study explores the author's experiences, challenges, and the potential future scenarios concerning women's social and professional positions. While the central focus is on women's roles, her work also acknowledges how societal shifts, like recent challenges to recruitment procedures, affect men, thereby prompting a broader consideration of both genders. Ultimately, Vollum-Dix’s work underscores the need for everyone to learn and unlearn in response to changing workplaces and societies.Professionals across various fields, including gender studies, human resources, diversity and inclusion, organisational leadership, social sciences, and women's advocacy, benefit from Vollum-Dix’s insight. Additionally, individuals in positions of authority, managers, policymakers, and those concerned with addressing gender disparities and advancing women's empowerment in workplaces and society discover insightful viewpoints in this important work.