Barriers Affecting Research and Publication Efforts among Female Academics in South African and Zimbabwean Universities

Abstract

1 <201104691@ufh.ac.za>, 2 <Srembe@ufh.ac.za>, 3 <Jshumba@ufh.ac.za> ABSTRACT This paper examined the barriers to research and publication efforts of senior female academics in South African and Zimbabwean universities. The qualitative research approach was employed and semi-structured interviews comprising of 10 female academics with more than ten years of teaching within the university system were used as a sample and data were thematically analysed. It emerged from the study that the majority of female academics in South African and Zimbabwean Universities did little research and publication due to heavy teaching workload, lack of scientific training and unavailability of workshops and inadequate funding. Moreover, lack of confidence, ignorance and lack of collaboration among academics were other major barriers established by the study. The paper recommends that the career trajectory of females be enhanced by providing ongoing training on scientific writing, adequate funding and promotion of co-authorship.