WIRED Toolkit

The WIRED Toolkit has been developed as part of YSWN’s Youth Music-funded WIRED programme. Based upon research carried out for YSWN by Anni Raw & Associates, with additional input from Dr Eddie Dobson, it shares findings around the experiences of girls, women and minority gender young people in music technology learning settings – in particular, the reasons why some disengage from the subject, and ways in which educators can support them and create better learning environments.

The WIRED Toolkit has five parts, all of which can be downloaded in PDF form by clicking the links above or the titles below:

Strategies From Educators & Learners
This booklet offers a range of evidence-based strategies for educators to support gender-inclusive learning environments in music technology. It is drawn from research compiling the experiences of women, girl and minority gender learners and educators, with additional input from male educators working in the field.

Tips From Learners poster
This A3 poster accompanies the booklet and offers a handy list of practical actions to better support girls, women and minority gender young people in music technology classrooms.

Research Summary
A summary of independent research undertaken by Anni Raw & Associates, offering greater insight into girls, women and minority gender young people’s engagement with and experiences of music technology learning. The research was carried out through surveys, interviews and focus groups and also includes contributions from male music leaders.

Literature Review
This literature review summarises existing published research into the realities facing women, girls, and minority gender learners in music technology. It highlights the main points that have been described and discussed by the experts and academics in this area, learning which the WIRED Toolkit research builds upon.

Blocks & Barriers
A powerful collection of quotes and examples voiced by WIRED research respondents, attesting to the range of negative experiences they faced in music technology learning and industry settings.
Content note: contains brief references to sexual violence, harassment and assault as well as death threats.

Printed copies
If you would like us to send you a printed copy of the Strategies From Educators & Learners booklet, which also includes the Tips From Learners poster, please fill out this form. Both are free of charge, although we do welcome donations to support YSWN’s work: find out more on our Support Us page.

WIRED is supported by Youth Music.