Pública

Date:  1rst semester (2 sessions: 14/11/23 and 21/11/23)
Place: Online

Institution: UOC

Type: Seminar

Reflection on the learning and competencies:

The seminar on integrating the gender dimension into doctoral research has been very interesting because it has made me reflect, on the one hand, on its importance in research endeavours and consequently on how I could apply it in my thesis.

In the first session led by Jörg Müller, the need to consider differences based on sex (biological) and gender (sociocultural) to promote rigorous and sensitive science that broadens our understanding of health determinants for all individuals is highlighted. A definition of sex is provided, which includes genetic determination and primary and secondary physical characteristics. Additionally, the concept of gender is explored as a social practice that organizes roles and characteristics associated with men and women, along with the notion of gender identity.

In the second session led by Milagros Sáinz, the application of intersectionality at different stages of the doctoral research process is explored, such as theory selection, study design, participant selection, measurement methodology, data analysis, interpretation of results, and presentation thereof. The relevance of not limiting oneself to comparing men and women exclusively is emphasized, and instead, understanding differences both within and between groups is encouraged. Furthermore, the importance of communicating results clearly and sensitively to the diversity of the target audience.

Taking into account, on the one hand, what was conveyed by the speakers, and on the other hand, that starting from the second survey (2021-2022) of the Desk-Cohort, they take into account the gender perspective, I wonder the following: Are there differences in consumption based on biological sex and gender self-identification, or does the relationship between consumption of sugary drinks and socioeconomic level vary by gender? How does gender identity relate to attitudes toward health and well-being, and how could it influence decisions regarding sugary drink consumption? In conclusion, is there a significant interaction between biological sex, gender identity, and socioeconomic level in predicting sugary drink consumption in adolescents?

In summary, this seminar on integrating a gender perspective into doctoral research has strengthened the following competencies of the doctoral program: the ability to critically analyze, evaluate and summarize new and complex ideas.; the skill to conceive, design, or create, implement, and carry out a significant research or creative process related to the topic addressed; and the ability to operate in settings where gender- and sex-specific information on sugary drink consumption among adolescents is limited.