Implicit Gender Bias in Music Technology Education

Abstract

Implicit bias is a contributing factor to how we make decisions based on first impressions and prior experiences. Perception of ethnicity, gender, and sexuality (among other factors) informs our impressions and influences our decisions (Payne et al., 2018). This affects study and career choices. Research continues to find that the music and music technology industries are gendered spaces where women and gender diverse practitioners are underrepresented, and several studies recommend continued research on the reasons behind this gender gap. This investigation looks at implicit bias within music technology staff and students in Aotearoa New Zealand polytechnic music technology programmes using an online survey tool to probe how those involved perceive the influence of gender bias within their worldview.