Season 2 - Episode 3: How do carer responsibilities impact women’s higher education decision-making processes?

Deb commenced her career as a high school teacher but has more recently held roles in career counselling, both in schools and higher education settings.   In her doctoral studies, Deb is investigating the ways in which care work impacts upon women’s higher education decision-making processes. While much has been learned about the ways in which persistent gender inequities hinder women’s career opportunities and thus economic advancement, less is understood about the ways in which the unequal distribution of care work limits women’s choices with regard to furthering their education. Carer responsibilities frequently impact on educational decision-making processes in ways which are little understood.   A mixed methods research approach with an Exploratory Sequential Design will be utilised. Through her research, Deb hopes to contribute to better understandings of the factors which effect women’s higher education decision-making processes and may influence the way in which higher education institutions and policy makers encourage women with caring responsibilities to participate in university study. It may also inform strategies through which women can more effectively prepare to engage in non-traditional ways of tackling the challenges that might prevent them from achieving their educational aspirations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices