The workshop is delivered as part of the EU-funded RESET project, involving 7 innovation-centred organizations, of which 3 (Bochum, Lodz and Oulu universities) are based in post-industrial cities. The project aims at identifying gender and intersecting bias in innovation design. Based on empirical evidence, RESET shows that gender segregation in educational and occupational areas, as well as gender bias in assessing the needs of individuals and communities or the lack of awareness on gender-related differences in terms of users’ experience, behavioural, mobility or occupational patterns, lead to gender blind product and service design.

Based on the co-design principles of the New European Bauhaus, the workshop will comprise of an introduction to gender bias in product and service design (Step 1) followed by a discussion with guest designers to challenge such bias (Step 2) and a participatory session for participants to adopt a gender inclusive approach to the design process (Step 3).