scholarly journals “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

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.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Millicent L. Liani ◽  
Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽  
Justin Pulford ◽  
Rachel Tolhurst
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gender Analysis ◽  
Scientific Career ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Sub Saharan

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
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

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among mothers and their pre-school children on Unguja Island, Zanzibar with emphasis upon ascariasis

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (12) ◽  
pp. 1447-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. STOTHARD ◽  
E. IMISON ◽  
M. D. FRENCH ◽  
J. C. SOUSA-FIGUEIREDO ◽  
I. S. KHAMIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
School Children ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The North ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis

SUMMARYSoil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is a scourge to the health and well-being of infants and pre-schoolchildren throughout many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. To improve maternal and child health, regular de-worming is recommended and often delivered from mother and child health (MCH) clinics, yet there have been few studies monitoring the progress and impact of interventions on local levels of disease. A cross-sectional parasitological survey, supplemented with questionnaires, was therefore conducted across 10 Ungujan villages examining mothers (n=322) and their pre-school children (n=359). Within children, mean prevalence of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm was 8·6% (95% CI 5·5–11·8), 18·9% (95% CI 14·5–23·4) and 1·7% (95% CI 0·2–3·5) while in mothers mean prevalence was 6·7% (95% CI 3·7–9·7), 11·9% (95% CI 8·0–15·8) and 1·9% (95% CI 0·2–3·5), respectively. There was, however, significant spatial heterogeneity of STH by village, 2 villages having much elevated levels of infection, although general access to anthelminthics and utilization of village MCH clinics was good. Levels of parasite aggregation (k) were determined and a multilevel logistic regression model identified access to a household latrine [OR=0·56 (95% CI 0·32–0·99)] and having an infected household member [OR=3·72 (95% CI 2·22–6·26)] as observed risk factors. To further investigate worm burdens of Ascaris lumbricoides, adult worms were expelled using Combantrin® and measured. A negative relationship between mean worm burden and mean worm mass was found. Villages in the north of Unguja represent locations where there is elevated prevalence of both ascariasis and trichuriasis and it appears that local factors are particularly favourable for transmission of these helminths. From a perspective of control, in such locations, intervention efforts should be stepped up and greater efforts placed upon improving household sanitation.

scholarly journals Research Capacity Strengthening in American Samoa: Fa’avaeina le Fa’atelega o le Tomai Sa’ili’ili i Amerika Samoa

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-547
Author(s):  
Va’atausili Tofaeono ◽  
Lana Sue I Ka’opua ◽  
Angela Sy ◽  
Tyran Terada ◽  
Rachelann Taliloa-Vai Purcell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Context Specific

Abstract Capacity-building partnerships are central to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the UN’s blueprint for achieving global health equity. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues endorses the SDG and underscores the need for global partnerships that respect local leadership and culture. Innovations that weave or integrate Indigenous and Western knowledges are emphasised. These recommendations guided the INdigenous Samoan Partnership to Initiate Research Excellence (INSPIRE). INSPIRE is led by investigators from American Samoa and supported by US co-investigators. In project year one, INSPIRE queried: What weaving approaches are feasible for promoting community access to INSPIRE’s research hub and for training Indigenous researchers? Weaving procedures involved interlacing Samoan and Western knowledges. Cultural tailoring strategies were used to customise communications. Formative evaluation suggests the feasibility of INSPIRE’s efforts. Evidential tailoring provided information on American Samoa (A.S.) social determinants of health; trainees indicated increased research commitment. Linguistic and sociocultural relevance tailoring were positively received; trainees reported increased interest in research praxis and initiated an A.S. research capacity-strengthening model. Social work assured knowledge parity in development/delivery of the training curriculum and culturally safe discussions on social determinants of health, territorial status and Samoan survivance. Findings are context-specific yet offer considerations for capacity-strengthening partnerships seeking to advance health equity.

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