An intersectional gender analysis of familial and socio-cultural drivers of inequitable scientific career progression of researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers from a dearth of concrete information on the causes of women’s under-representation in scientific research workforce particularly at higher levels compared with the wealth of information that exists in the global north. The goal of this study was to illuminate familial and socio-cultural drivers that contribute to intersectional gender inequities in scientific career progression in SSA to inform strategies that could promote career equity for African scientific researchers. Methods This study was nested within the context of ‘Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa’ (DELTAS Africa)—a health-based scientific research capacity strengthening initiative. It adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. In-depth interviews were conducted among 58 (32 Female and 26 Male) trainees/research fellows at various career stages, affiliated to three purposively selected African Research Consortia. The interviews were conducted between May and December 2018 in English. The data were analysed inductively based on emergent themes. Results The study participants were nationals of thirteen SSA countries. More female than male participants had young children. Four themes were identified. They illustrate women’s and men’s characterisation of the normative career pathway and progression requirements which calls for significant ‘time’ commitments (theme 1), and how social power relations of gender within the family and wider society shapes their participation in scientific research activities (theme 2). This culminates in researchers'' differential experiences of navigating between the ‘two different lives’—family and career, and the resultant implications for their career progression and personal well-being (theme 3). Women researchers made different and conscious trade-offs for navigating the ‘two different lives’ by utilising various metaphors such as the ‘biological clock and career clock’, the ‘glass ball and rubber ball’, and the concept of ‘sacrifice’ (theme 4). Conclusions This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate how intersectional gender analysis through use of qualitative research methods may provide novel insights into the hidden familial and socio-cultural drivers of gender inequitable scientific research career progression. It offers important policy and practice measures and approaches for fostering career equity for women and men scientists within research capacity strengthening initiatives in SSA.

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“It’s A Steeper Hill for Women to Climb!”: An Intersectional Gender Analysis of Familial and Socio-Cultural Drivers of Inequitable Scientific Career Progression of Researchers in the Context of the DELTAS Africa Initiative

10.21203/rs.3.rs-105425/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Millicent L. Liani ◽

Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽

Justin Pulford ◽

Rachel Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Social Power ◽

Scientific Research ◽

Well Being ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Career Progression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Scientific Career ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening

Abstract Background: This study sought to illuminate familial and socio-cultural drivers that contribute to intersectional gender inequities in scientific career progression in Sub-saharan Africa (SSA) by drawing on lived experiences of women and men researchers. The findings are drawn from a wider research study that was aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of the barriers and enablers of gender equitable scientific career progression for researchers in SSA. This was nested within the context of ‘Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa’ (DELTAS Africa) – a health-based scientific research capacity strengthening initiative. Methods: The study adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifty-eight (32 Female and 26 Male) trainees/research fellows at various career stages, supported and/or affiliated to three purposively selected African Research Consortia. The interviews were conducted between May and December 2018 in English. The data was analysed inductively based on emergent themes.Results: Four themes were identified. First: characterisation of the normative career pathway and progression requirements. Second: social power relations of gender within the family and wider society. Third: researchers’ experiences of navigating between the ‘two different lives’, and the resultant implications for their career progression and personal well-being. Fourth, potential strategies utilised by women for navigating the ‘two different lives’ and their impacts. Conclusions: This study offers important policy and practice measures and approaches for fostering equitable scientific research career progression for women and men within research capacity strengthening initiatives in SSA. These includes the need for: reforms in institutional human resources policies and systems; a more fundamental re-think of the normative scientific career structure to create equitable opportunities, improving diversity and well-being of both female and male researchers; additional support and potential adjustments to expectations for language minorities in science; and embracing gender transformative approaches in science.

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

AAS Open Research ◽

10.12688/aasopenres.13243.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 42

Author(s):

Millicent L. Liani ◽

Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽

Justin Pulford ◽

Rachel Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Research Capacity ◽

Career Progression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Future Research ◽

Scientific Career ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Sub Saharan

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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Institutional-level drivers of gender-inequitable scientific career progression in sub-Saharan Africa

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-021-00767-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Millicent L. Liani ◽

Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽

Justin Pulford ◽

Rachel Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Social Power ◽

Institutional Environment ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Career Progression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Scientific Career ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Biases ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background This study sought to determine how institutional environments, including values, policies, and their implementation, shape inequities in scientific career progression for women and men, and their disadvantages in relation to their multiple social identities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The findings are drawn from a wider research study that was aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of the barriers and enablers of gender-equitable scientific career progression for researchers in SSA. This was nested within the context of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa) programme—a health-based scientific research capacity-strengthening initiative. Methods The study adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. In-depth interviews (IDIs) with trainees/research fellows at various career stages supported and/or affiliated to three purposively selected DELTAS Africa Research Consortia were the main method of data collection. In addition, key informant interviews (KIIs) with consortia research leaders/directors, co-investigators, and the consortia management team were also conducted to corroborate information gathered from the IDIs, and also to provide additional insights on the drivers of intersectional gender-inequitable career progression. In total, 58 IDIs (32 female and 26 male) and 20 KIIs (4 female and 16 male) were conducted. The interviews were carried out in English between May and December 2018. The data were analysed inductively based on emergent themes. Results Three interrelated themes were identified: first, characterization of the institutional environment as highly complex and competitive with regard to advancement opportunities and funding structure; second, inequitable access to support systems within institutions; third, informal rules—everyday experiences of negative practices and culture at the workplace, characterized by negative stereotypical attitudes, gender biases, sexual harassment, and bullying and intimidation. Conclusions We contend that understanding and addressing the social power relations at the meso-institutional environment and macro-level contexts could benefit career progression of both female and male researchers by improving work culture and practices, resource allocation, and better rules and policies, thus fostering positive avenues for systemic and structural policy changes.

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Approaches and impact of non-academic research capacity strengthening training models in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-015-0017-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Lambert Mugabo ◽

Dominique Rouleau ◽

Jackline Odhiambo ◽

Marie Paul Nisingizwe ◽

Cheryl Amoroso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Academic Research ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Training Models ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Sub Saharan

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Research Capacity Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa: Recognizing the Importance of Local Partnerships in Designing and Disseminating HIV Implementation Science to Reach the 90–90–90 Goals

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-019-02538-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (S2) ◽

pp. 206-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna Kalbarczyk ◽

Wendy Davis ◽

Sam Kalibala ◽

Scott Geibel ◽

Aisha Yansaneh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Implementation Science ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Local Partnerships

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-479855/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Millicent L. Liani ◽

Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽

Justin Pulford ◽

Rachel Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Social Power ◽

Institutional Environment ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Career Progression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Scientific Career ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Biases ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: This study sought to find out how institutional environments, including values, policies, and their implementation shape inequities in scientific career progression for women and men, and their disadvantages in relation to their multiple social identities in Sub-saharan Africa (SSA). The findings are drawn from a wider research study that was aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of the barriers and enablers of gender equitable scientific career progression for researchers in SSA. This was nested within the context of ‘Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa’ (DELTAS Africa) – a health-based scientific research capacity strengthening initiative.Methods: The study adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. In-depth interviews (IDIs) with trainees/research fellows at various career stages supported and/or affiliated to three purposively selected DELTAS Africa Research Consortia was the main method of data collection. In addition, key informant interviews (KIIs) with consortia research leaders/directors, co-investigators, and the consortia management team were also conducted to corroborate information gathered from the IDIs, and also to provide additional insights on the drivers of intersectional gender inequitable career progression. In total, fifty-eight IDIs (32 female and 26 male) and twenty KIIs (4 female and 16 male) were conducted. The interviews were carried out between May and December 2018 in English. The data was analysed inductively based on emergent themes.Results: Three interrelated themes were identified. First: characterisation of the institutional environment as highly complex and competitive, pertaining to progression opportunities and funding structure. Second: Inequitable access to support systems within institutions. Third: Informal rules: Everyday experiences of negative practices and culture at workplace characterised by negative stereotypical attitudes; gender biases; sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation.Conclusions: We contend that understanding and addressing the social power relations at the meso-institutional environment and macro level contexts could benefit career progression of both women and men researchers through improving working culture and practices, resource allocation and better rules and policies thus fostering positive avenues for systemic and structural policy changes.

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Towards diaspora-driven research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: results from India and Nepal

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihy076 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 221-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Varshini Varadaraj ◽

Anju Ranjit ◽

Joseph Nwadiuko ◽

Joseph Canner ◽

Marie Diener-West ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Capacity ◽

Middle Income ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Low And Middle Income

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No Longer Overlooked and Undervalued? The Evolving Dynamics of Endogenous Educational Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Harvard Educational Review ◽

10.17763/haer.76.1.1855703m42272353 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 80-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

RICHARD MACLURE

Keyword(s):

International Development ◽

Educational Research ◽

Central Africa ◽

Research Capacity ◽

The United States ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Research Network ◽

Research Networks ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Local Research

Multilateral donors like the World Bank and bilateral agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Department for International Development exert a great deal of influence in international educational development — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — both in the programs they fund and the types of research they engage in. In this article, Richard Maclure investigates educational research in Africa and juxtaposes research done by large, exogenous, Western, results-oriented organizations with research performed by smaller, endogenous, local researchers aided by local research networks. Maclure argues convincingly that research that falls into the exogenous "donor-control" paradigm far too often is irrelevant to the African educational policy context and does little to develop local research capacity. The cases of two African research networks — the Educational Research Network of West and Central Africa and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa—are presented as exemplars of organizations that promote an alternative type of research that is endogenous, relevant to policy and the process of policymaking, and controlled by Africans. Maclure concludes with a call for increased support for and development of these types of networks, and for the development of the long-term solution to educational research in Africa — the university.

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