Institutional Level Drivers of Gender Inequitable Scientific Career Progression in Sub-saharan Africa

Liani, Millicent L.; Nyamongo, Isaac K.; Pulford, Justin; Tolhurst, Rachel

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-479855/v1

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Upon reflection, PowerPack members recognized that gendered cultural expectations have become unconscious frames that shape their behaviors, plans and aspirations. Recent SSA based studies also highlighted socio-cultural behaviors as one of the major drivers of gender inequitable scientific career progression 20 , 21 . Moreover, some of these stereotypes have power to create gender inequity in science because they are internalized and unconscious.…”

Section: African Scientists For Gender Equity Campaign Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A PowerPack of SuperScientists: An innovative concept by African scientists to address gender bias and inequity in science

Mthembu¹,

Baiyegunhi²,

Mdleleni³

et al. 2023

Wellcome Open Res

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Underrepresentation of women in scientific leadership is a global problem. To understand and counter narratives that limit gender equity in African science, we conducted a public engagement campaign. Scientists representing six sub-Saharan African countries and multiple career stages used superhero imagery to create a diverse and unified team advocating for gender equity in science. In contrast to many traditional scientific environments and global campaigns, this “PowerPack of SuperScientists” was led by early-career Black female scientists whose perspectives are often under-represented in discussions about gender equity in science. The superhero imagery served as a powerful and fun antidote to imposter syndrome and helped to subvert traditional power structures based on age, race and sex. In an interactive social media campaign, the PowerPack developed insights into three themes: a) cultural stereotypes that limit women’s scientific careers, b) the perception of a “conflict” between family and career responsibilities for women scientists, and c) solutions that can be adopted by key stakeholders to promote gender equity in African science. The PowerPack proposed solutions that could be undertaken by women working individually or collectively and interventions that require allyship from men, commitment from scientific institutions, and wider societal change. Further work is required to fully engage African scientists from even more diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds and institutions in these solutions and to enhance commitment by different stakeholders to achieving gender equity in science. Our experience suggests that creative tools should be used to subvert power dynamics and bring fresh perspectives and urgency to this topic.

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Section: African Scientists For Gender Equity Campaign Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A PowerPack of SuperScientists: An innovative concept by African scientists to address gender bias and inequity in science

Mthembu¹,

Baiyegunhi²,

Mdleleni³

et al. 2023

Wellcome Open Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…However, given the necessity of an intersectional gender analysis, other identities such as age (provided in range), marital status, and presence of dependents are anonymously presented where necessary. Thereafter, ML organised and coded the data in QSR International's NVivo 11 qualitative data management software, and analysed these inductively based on emergent themes, whilst aligning the themes to the developed integrated conceptual framework for understanding intersecting gender inequities in academic scientific career progression in SSA (Liani et al, 2020). ML utilised a grounded theory approach, employing constant comparative analysis (Charmaz, 2006;Glaser & Strauss, 1967).…”

Section: Data Management and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This should provide up-to date evidence on which to develop targeted interventions to address the needs of female and male researchers (FAWE, 2015). A recent review found a dearth of studies trialling interventions to address impediments to equitable scientific and academic career progression of female and male researchers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Liani et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These findings could be used by institutional and consortia research leaders, principal investigators, and funders to inform programme planning for DELTAS II (2021II ( -2025, and related research capacity strengthening initiatives, as they provide valuable insights on what strategies and actions they could tap on and implement in narrowing barriers to gender equitable scientific career progression. We frame our findings based on emergent themes from the data whilst aligning them to our integrated conceptual framework for understanding intersecting gender inequities in academic scientific career progression in SSA (Liani et al, 2020), as a lens for analysing the existing enabling mechanisms at the micro, meso and macro levels, as presented in Figure 1 below:…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enablers of gender equitable scientific career progression in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from the DELTAS Africa Initiative

Liani¹,

Nyamongo²,

Pulford³

et al. 2021

Open Res Africa

Self Cite

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Background: This paper present findings on current strategies utilised within selected Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa’ (DELTAS Africa) consortia to promote gender equitable scientific career progression for researchers, as well as participants’ recommendations for change. Findings are drawn from a wider research study nested within this health-based scientific research capacity strengthening initiative that was aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of the barriers and enablers of gender equitable scientific career progression for researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. The main method of data collection was in-depth interviews (IDIs) with trainees/research fellows at various career stages affiliated to three purposively selected DELTAS Africa Research Consortia. In addition, key informant interviews (KIIs) with consortia research leaders/directors, co-investigators, and management team were also conducted to corroborate information gathered from the IDIs, and to provide additional insights on the enabling factors/actions and policy processes that were currently in place or proposed to enhance gender equitable career progression. In total, fifty-eight IDIs (32 female and 26 male) and twenty KIIs (4 female and 16 male) were conducted. Interviews were carried out between May and December 2018 in English. Data were analysed inductively based on emergent themes, and aligned to the developed integrated conceptual framework. Results: Three overarching themes were identified. First: micro level efforts - individual coping mechanisms and familial level support. Second: Meso level efforts -existing enabling mechanisms at the institutional level. Third: proposed solutions for positive change towards enhancing gender equitable career progression at micro, meso and macro levels. Conclusions: These findings have implications for future research capacity strengthening programming, including DELTAS Africa II initiative (2021-2025); they provide valuable insights on potential strategies and actions aiming to narrow gender inequities in scientific career progression in the context of sub-Saharan African research institutions.

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“…They acknowledged needing more support to build confidence in their abilities to be a research leader and there was a need to establish programs so that they are not unduly disadvantaged. They recommended that culture change had to begin at the early stages of the education pipeline to enable girls and young women to feel able to take up challenges [Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), 2015 ; Daniels et al, 2015 ; Maphalala and Mpofu, 2017 ; Moodly and Toni, 2017 ; Beaudry et al, 2018 ; Prozesky and Beaudry, 2019 ; Liani et al, 2020 ; Jackson et al, 2022 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives on Gender in Science, Technology, and Innovation: A Review of Sub-Saharan Africa's Science Granting Councils and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Jackson

Payumo

Jamison

et al. 2022

Front. Res. Metr. Anal.

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Africa's focus on science, technology, and innovation (STI) has grown over the last decade, with emerging examples of good practice. There are however numerous challenges to sustainable development in Africa; for example, inequalities within and among African countries are rising and enormous disparities of opportunity, wealth, and power persist. While policy makers and organizations have put increasing emphasis on integrating gender into STI policies and initiatives as a means to achieve gender equality for all women and girls, inequality remains a key challenge to continental sustainable development. STI funders such as the Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in Africa are key players in national innovation systems. They advise and facilitate policy and program development, disburse funds, build research capacity, set and monitor research agendas, manage bilateral and multilateral STI agreements, and assess the communication, uptake, and impact of research. They, therefore, have a major role to play in enabling countries to achieve SDG5. This study assessed the current actions in gender mainstreaming across the SGCs and the status of gender research and collaboration in participating countries. Our findings provide evidence of uneven progress in promoting gender equality in the operations of the SGCs, including funding research and promoting the integration of gender dimensions in research content and curricula. All SGCs emphasized national commitments to gender, and the importance of gender in STI, but acknowledged that at the structural and institutional levels there was a misalignment between policy and practice. As expected, more men than women were employed across most levels at the SGCs and held positions of seniority and decision making. Most of the SGCs had very limited or no gender-related funding programs to promote gender and STI or to eliminate the barriers that women scholars face. This resulted in persistent inequalities in who received funding, the size of the grants they received, and in the knowledge production, collaboration, and the impact on their country's gender-related research. These findings suggest that SGCs need to strengthen their actions to mainstream gender if they are to achieve success with SDG5.

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Institutional Level Drivers of Gender Inequitable Scientific Career Progression in Sub-saharan Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

A PowerPack of SuperScientists: An innovative concept by African scientists to address gender bias and inequity in science

A PowerPack of SuperScientists: An innovative concept by African scientists to address gender bias and inequity in science

Enablers of gender equitable scientific career progression in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from the DELTAS Africa Initiative

Perspectives on Gender in Science, Technology, and Innovation: A Review of Sub-Saharan Africa's Science Granting Councils and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

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