Research from PhD candidate, Maria Paula Hernández Ruiz, is exploring the social life of gender data.
“My research looks at the gender and race dimensions of quantitative data and databases in the international development space in Colombia and Australia. This research overlaps various fields including development studies, anthropology of knowledge, and social studies of science and technology,” she says.
“This is important because if we better understand the context in which knowledge is socially produced, small organisations or community groups can better adapt and mobilise their resources to change narratives and improve interventions for marginalised groups.”
Maria Paula says she has made many valuable connections during her research.
“As part of my PhD, I attended a development studies conference, where I was able to float my research proposal to an audience interested in similar topics as my own. I have also made connections with different partners across the Pacific, Australia and Colombia who are central to data production, mobilisation and divulgation efforts globally and in their regions of influence.”
Maria Paula is currently undertaking a research internship at the International Women's Development Agency, where she is learning about the technical and learning processes involved in the making of gender data.
“I have particularly enjoyed getting to know the wonderful feminists who are working hard to achieve systemic change in how gender and poverty is measured. It has been an amazing learning experience and a pillar of my PhD research.”
“I have learned about basic statistical concepts that underpin gender data alongside the philosophical, feminist and economic discussions that have informed data collection measures.”
“I have also learned about the importance of foreign engagement for the development of specific data frameworks.”
When she graduates, Maria hopes to work in a role that helps bridge the gap between academia and international development.
“I would love to work in a research engagement role, helping translate research to improve connections between academia and the international development sector.”
