Study findings on representation of women in Scottish piping and drumming publishedThe National Piping Centre unveils research findings as new initiatives launched.
Results of a study into the representation and inclusion of women in Scotland’s piping and drumming scene commissioned by The National Piping Centre have been published today.
The research survey, entitled Women in Piping and Drumming: Equality, Inclusivity, and Diversity (EDI), was first launched in April 2023. It aimed to understand women’s perspectives and experiences, to establish a baseline on what was currently happening in the community and gain insight into potential barriers for women taking part in piping and drumming in Scotland.
The research was designed by The National Piping Centre (NPC) in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and comprised a robust questionnaire that led to the results outlined in the report.
The study, which analysed around 300 online survey responses, identified seven key themes:
● lack of representation and visibility of women in piping and drumming
● lack of community for women
● male-dominated environments
● lack of accountability for sexism
● the contribution of alcohol in the creation of uncomfortable environments
● progress has been made
● no issues – many respondents reported they had no negative experiences
The data gathered through the survey evidences that:
● 52% of respondents advised they have experienced sexism within their piping and drumming community
● 52% of respondents who have retired from piping and drumming said their gender was a factor in this decision
● 26% of survey participants reported that a senior or respected member of their piping and drumming community had used or tried to use their status to take advantage of them due to their gender
● 24% of those surveyed strongly agreed that they had personally experienced behaviour they consider to be inappropriate during a piping or drumming event
The key findings and themes will inform recommended actions as part of The National Piping Centre’sexisting EDI Strategy. This includes the launch of two new initiatives which aim to promote more equality, diversity and inclusion and take meaningful steps to help create a safer and more inclusive piping and drumming community for all.
These two projects, The Maket Collective and The Stand Project, each seek to place equality for women firmly on the agenda across the piping world in Scotland and beyond.
To address a lack of accessible material featuring influential, professional female pipers and drummers online, The Maket Collective – launched in August 2024 – promotes and amplifies the voice and talent of six women who are important figures in the field, and who, as Maket Ambassadors for 2024, have shared their stories and experience as performers.
Inspired by the first named piper in history, Lady Maket, who lived in Egypt over 3,000 years ago and was found buried along with her pipes, The Maket Collective is an online community showcasing videos, photos and event information about the six ambassadors in a central online hub. The collective will create events and performance opportunities for women in piping and drumming throughout the year.
Another new initiative which launches today is The Stand Project. This allyship project aims to reach into community spaces to provide support and create dialogue around diversity in the piping and drumming community.
To join, people will pledge to stand with all members of the piping and drumming community, stand up for everyone in the community, and stand against discrimination. To demonstrate this, they can wear a pin badge which will show their support for everyone having a place in the piping community. The Stand Projectpin badges are free and available from TheNational Piping Centre.
These two initial pieces of work will be followed up with further actions within the NPC’s ongoing EDI Action Plan, which include partnering with expert external bodies and bolstering internal practices and policies.
This report on Women in Piping and Drumming will provide a solid foundation for the NPC to continue further work on developing and maintaining a diverse, inclusive community connected by the benefits offered by the traditional arts.
Piper Ailis Sutherland said: “Having grown up in the scene as a girl and young woman, these findings don’t surprise me. I see the piping and drumming scene in Scotland as a reflection of our society so when fewer women are around, the challenging behaviour, dynamics and systems we navigate in everyday life, are mirrored in piping and drumming spaces.
“What is a comfort, however, is to have witnessed some notable and credible change in my lifetime as a piper. Many of the examples that come to mind are ‘firsts’, not just for me, but for my peers and our parents, who have been in the piping and drumming scene for decades.
“In the last year or so, the biggest sense of change has been leading a team of predominantly young women to deliver the NPC’s Piping Clubs across Glasgow. I have never received instrumental tuition from a woman, so it feels like progress to be offering almost 60 young people piping sessions led by young women with degrees and expertise on a weekly basis. As a result, we have started to see wider representation in our participant base and a positive shift in the culture within our learning environments.
“Piping is one of my greatest passions, so it is not a plausible option for me to just walk away and try something else. I’m dedicated to remaining within the world of piping and to keep advocating and striving for inclusivity, diversity, accountability and safety in our professional, amateur and social spaces. I’m grateful to be empowered to do so by the people around me and the company I am employed by.”
Helen Urquhart, Head of Events at The National Piping Centre: “This survey has given women in piping and drumming an opportunity to be heard. We want to thank all those who took part in the survey and say – we hear you. The stark findings and statistics show clear areas where it is critical that improvements are made right across piping and drumming in Scotland with immediate effect.
“We know there is much to be done to help rebuild trust and confidence among women in piping and drumming and would encourage everyone across the community to reflect on, and contribute towards, that effort, so we can ensure that it is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all. Our research shows some positive change has already happened, but there is more to be done in raising awareness of these vital issues.
“With these findings we can really start to make changes and in launching and implementing two meaningful initiatives, The National Piping Centre wants to be at the forefront of guiding change in this area. This is just the beginning of a long-term action plan to help ensure true equality, diversity and inclusion within piping and drumming in Scotland.”
Finlay MacDonald, Director of Piping at The National Piping Centre, said: “No matter who you are, piping and drumming should be accessible and inclusive to all. These survey findings show that there is more work to be done to make that a reality and, armed with the important findings from key voices across our community, we aim to make short and long-term positive changes for everyone in piping and drumming. I would encourage the entire piping and drumming world to get behind these new initiatives and support us in our mission to enrich lives through piping.”
The Board of The National Piping Centre said: “The National Piping Centre, as the centre of excellence for our national instrument, places equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of its strategy. We are proud to have commissioned this valuable piece of research. The report states that we will be responding to key findings as part of our ongoing work. And these two new initiatives – The Maket Collective and Stand campaign – clearly signal our support and encouragement for everyone who wishes to be part of our world-wide community of pipers and drummers.”
The National Piping Centre’s Women in Piping and Drumming Report is available to view publicly in full from 12pm, Tuesday 3rd December at https://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/play/other-play/women-in-piping-and-drumming-research.
Follow these topics: News, Newsletter