Research Centre for Better Living

Women’s Wellbeing and Prosperity in Digital Era (WW&PDE)

WW&PDE is an interdisciplinary consortium of over 30 researchers who specialise in women’s mental and physical wellbeing, digital innovation, social inclusion, gender and work.

We address complex challenges affecting women’s wellbeing and prosperity through collaborative and participatory research, partnerships, and real-world impact.

A woman posed in the lotus position on a wooden floor with a laptop, phone, coffee mug and water glass beside her

Established to unite ARU’s expertise in women’s health and wellbeing, gender equality, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion, this consortium responds to growing national and international priorities around women’s health and inclusive prosperity. Led by Prof Magdalena Zawisza and Dr Jenny Todd with Dr Emma Kaminskiy, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to generate impactful research and funding opportunities.

Special issue on ‘The Social Psychology of Gender Equality in the Digital Era’

Led by Prof Magdalena Zawisza, this international special issue in Sex Roles explores how digital technologies, AI, social media and online workplaces shape gender equality. It considers both the opportunities and challenges of the digital era for gender parity.

Tackling Online Objectification of Girls and Young Women

This EPSRC funded interdisciplinary participatory research co-designed online animation, assessed by Prof Magdalena Zawisza as an effective anti-objectification intervention, for girls and young women. The project generated practical recommendations published in POSTnote. Read more about our Include+ anti-objectification project.

Social Psychology of Gender Equality in the Digital Era conference

Organised by Prof Magdalena Zawisza at ARU with European Association of Social Psychology (EASP) funding, this international conference brought together global experts to explore how digital technologies shape gender equality and to advance psychological research and collaboration. Find out more about the EASP conference.

Understanding needs of Muslim women and girls in Peterborough

This NIHR Applied Research Collaboration EoE funded project, led by ARU’s Dr Irum Maqbool and Dr Emma Kaminskiy, will establish partnerships with place-based organisations to better understand the mental health needs and barriers faced by Muslim women and girls in Peterborough.

Gender Equality for Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders

Prof Magdalena Zawisza contributed to a national report for Women on Boards (WOB) CIC presented at the House of Lords. She provided evidence-based recommendations to improve opportunities for women entrepreneurs and strengthen equitable governance across UK SMEs. Find out more about and download the WOB CIC report.

Sexism linked to social ills for men and women, finds largest cross cultural study of its kind

Led by Prof. Magdalena Zawisza, this international study analysed data from 33,000 participants across 62 countries, showing that sexism is linked to poorer social, economic and health outcomes, affecting both women and men. Read more about the Towards Gender Harmony mega-study.

ARU team leads