This volume offers an in-depth look at the employment patterns and work experiences of women working in political technology in the United States. Drawing on a unique dataset of 1004 political tech staffers and interviews with 45 women who worked on presidential campaigns between 2004-2016, it reveals the underrepresentation of women in political technology, especially leadership positions, as well as the struggle women face to have their voices heard within the boys' clubs and bro cultures of the field.
"This book originated as an undergraduate research project and public report-which was an experience and outcome none of us could have anticipated when we started this research in late 2017. Over the course of a semester in spring 2018, a group of fourteen undergraduate women at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted most of the interviews for this book, helped with the data analysis, and presented our findings at an event in Washington D.C. with more than 100 practitioners from both sides of the aisle in the room. During the ensuing year, a smaller group of students worked to fashion the report into this book, conducting additional interviews, collecting and analyzing more data, and expanding our themes and findings. These undergraduate researchers did all of these things as they were stepping into their first jobs post-graduation shortly after launching the initial report and finishing the first draft of the book manuscript. Unfortunately, they subsequently encountered similar workplaces that their comparatively older peers described to them months earlier. In their first professional work, members of our research team experienced firsthand men acting unprofessionally and devaluing their skills because they were women. Others experienced unprofessional male bosses who yelled at all of their employees, regardless of gender. Others decided not to pursue certain opportunities because, thankfully, male allies warned them of toxic workplaces and the sexual behaviors of principals at political tech firms. Sadly, then, many of the findings in this book were validated by these women's own first experiences in the political workforce. At least this project prepared them for what was to come. But in offering up their experiences and advice our interviewees helped prepare the next generation for the workforce, even as they are helping to change it. It is in this spirit that we offer this book to you"--
