Research Informs & Empowers
The Institute has amassed the largest body of research on gender prevalence in family entertainment, spanning more than 30 years. Our research findings are in high demand by companies and organizations interested in the empowerment of women and girls.
The Institute’s research serves as the basis for education and outreach programs that help families, studios, educators and content creators become critical consumers and producers.
We have two primary research tools that we use for pre and post production evaluation of content: GD-IQ (the Geena Davis Inclusion Quotient) and Spellcheck for Bias.
The Geena Davis Inclusion Quotient (GD-IQ), is a groundbreaking research tool comprised of a hybrid methodology that leverages machine learning to analyze audio and video media content. Funded by Google.org, the GD-IQ is a collaboration between the Institute and the University of Southern California’s Signal Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory (SAIL) and is the only software tool in existence with the ability to measure screen and speaking. The GD-IQ also incorporates Human Expert Coding to determine the representation of six identities (gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, disability, age 50+, and body type). Learn more about GD-IQ.
Spellcheck for Bias® provides analysis of preproduction scripts with the purpose of identifying opportunities for greater representation of marginalized communities within six major identities (gender, race, LGBTQIA+ identity, disability, age, and body type), as well as identification of biases, tropes and stereotypes, representation issues, harmful language, and potential cultural inaccuracies. The Spellcheck for Bias® team uses a text analysis tool to identify character prominence and social science research to inform the in-depth analysis. The team also collaborates with the University of Southern California’s Signal Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory (SAIL) to create a Who-Speaks-To-Whom chart that relies on machine learning to produce the frequency and rate at which major characters are speaking to each other. Central to the ethos of Spellcheck is respecting the artistic integrity of creative work, while also increasing knowledge and engaging in informed, explorative collaboration on inclusion and equity. Learn more about Spellcheck for Bias.
