Page 69 - RADC Bulletin 2022

RADC PEOPLE
Gender Study 2022
Lt Col Charlie Winship & Maj Verity Brown
Holding up a mirror to the RADC...
• This is the first study of its kind within Defence in response to the 2021 Atherton Report.
• The RADC wanted to understand which, if any, of the findings of the Atherton Report were relevant to their own workforce (WF).
• The study is sponsored by Comd DPHC and CDO(A).
• A majority (60%) of the RADC regular WF responded.
Introduction and Methods
Why is Equality, Diversity and Inclusion important?
A diverse and inclusive organisation is a stronger, healthier, more cohesive
and resilient organisation. D&I drives performance, increases creative thinking and reduces the risks of group think - all of which are mission critical to meeting today’s security challenges and threats.
(A Force for Inclusion Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018 – 2030)
Workforce Demographic
The RADC has an unusual gender distribution compared to other Corps as it
is predominantly made up of women. The percentage of women in the RADC is 70% (OF 49%, OR 85%) as opposed to the UKAF figure of 11%. This is representative of the whole military Dental WF and below the percentage of women in the national civilian dental WF (78%).
• 34% of the RADC* are in dual serving couples, of which 100% are female.
• 81% of dual serving couples are Soldiers
Methodology
An initial scoping exercise was conducted to understand perceived gender related issues in the RADC comparing these to the Atherton report findings. A voluntary participation survey covering the relevant topics was sent to the whole RADC WF. Basic quantitative descriptive data was reported and qualitative thematic analysis
(Braun& Clarke, 2012) was employed to code data into sub-themes and themes.
*Results from the RADC respondents to the Gender study (n=106).
Results and Discussion
THEME 1; Negative perceptions of the influence of gender on career
In the Officer’s cadre, the initial scoping RADC BULLETIN 2022 67