To achieve true economic growth and social progress, women must be empowered in the workplace and viewed as equals, allowing them to assume leadership roles and to make meaningful contributions. Without the unique talent, ideas, and sensibilities that women bring to the workplace, the entire country suffers.

Through its Centre for Women in Politics and Public Leadership (CWPPL) and Centre for Research and Education on Women and Work (CREWW), Carleton University has studied the challenges facing women in a number of sectors including for-profit corporations, the public sector, and entrepreneurship — and is actively implementing education programs and public outreach to counteract these difficulties. By identifying and redressing power imbalances and giving women the education and autonomy to succeed in management and leadership positions, these centres are tirelessly working to empower women and to promote gender equality.

Through their research, Carleton University has uncovered many interesting findings. A recent study, conducted in partnership with the Beacon Agency and BMO, looked at how female entrepreneurs make decisions involving risk, and will be released this April. Many prior reports describe women entrepreneurs as being risk-averse, which can influence their ability to obtain capital to start and grow their businesses. A second study is currently underway, interviewing female entrepreneurs to understand the relative importance of access to social, intellectual, and financial capital in the success of their businesses. Research projects such as these seek to create greater awareness of women’s leadership and change conversations — creating new paths for leadership that fully recognize the talents of both men and women.

These leadership programs, informed by research, are helping women to achieve their leadership and organizational goals.