Posted on by SAYAS

Born as a side-line

By: Guest-blogger Dorothy Ngila – @DorothyNgila  

 

I had worked at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) for just over 4 years, when I had a light bulb moment during a side-line discussion at a global academies’ meeting on the social determinants of health. Somebody just casually asked whether we knew the numbers of women participating in academies of science, globally. Having been steeped in so much background information on women’s status as a scientific minority, I immediately knew that a survey of women’s participation in national science academies was probably a good idea.

I also knew from scholarly literature that hard evidence would tell this narrative differently, and perhaps contribute to change.

And so the survey that would collect, analyse and report on participation of women in science academies was born. The InterAcademy Partnership (formerly IAP: The Global Network of Science Academies), the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, the Women for Science Group of the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) and ASSAf endorsed the idea with IAP funding the project. Working together with Dr Nelius Boshoff, Stellenbosch University (the lead researcher on the project) we revised the terms of reference and began the arduous journey of contacting science academies, convincing them of the importance of this data. For a few academies it was easy to submit data in the format that we required it: number of women members, the total female membership, membership per discipline, women’s participation in the academy’s activities, women’s participation in academies’ governance… It was easy because they had already been collecting this type of data. For others, it was simply too much of an ask, and we never managed to get any information.

This process alone convinced me of the importance of the survey. How was this not a significant area of preoccupation for academies?

Fast forward to the analysis of the data we eventually received from 63 academies of science. I knew from the anecdotal information that the numbers were really low, but I was really shocked when it emerged that the global membership of women in science academies was only 12%. I expected the number to be low but not that low. However, I was elated to learn of the major strides that academies of science in Latin America have made in terms of women’s participation. The Cuban Academy of Sciences (27%) and the

Caribbean Academy of Sciences (26%) rank at the top, globally, in terms of female membership. Also our very own ASSAf ranks among the top five organisations as far as women membership is concerned (24%).

Of course the low numbers correlate to the current data on women’s representation in leadership, and in science leadership. Academies of science admit accomplished and well-established science leaders in their different scientific domains and nations to their membership. So, the data clearly mirrors the major global challenge we have in retaining women in science leadership.

And so what was the big lesson from the study? For me, it was the importance of data! Recent, accurate and reliable data. Gender equity and equality strategies, policies and plans must be informed by evidence.

The study recommends that academies must collect, analyse and report gender-disaggregated data on participation in activities, membership and governance. Gender-disaggregated data provides the opportunity for critical thinking on the status quo and better planning for the future. It is only when we are faced by the hard facts that we can start really acknowledging and addressing the problem.

This survey started as a side-note to a bigger conversation, and if a group of concerned, passionate and dedicated people within and around the academy movement did not run with the idea, we would not have baseline data that confirms what we have known for a long time… women are simply too few in science leadership! Many academies do now realise the importance of urgent action from their side to address gender equality and equity within their ranks. It is my hope that the survey results continue to trigger more conversations and actions amongst academies of science on their role in advocating for increased participation of women in the national systems of innovation they serve.  It can no longer be a mere side-note issue.

Posted on by sipokazinyeleka · 1 Comment

Coping mechanisms

I have been reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned through my interaction with crucibles and chemicals, but also with the people that are with me on this academic adventure. By now, I have come to appreciate the true meaning of the African proverb “If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.” For someone with a twin, you’d think I was born knowing the importance of other people! But it took me some time to fully appreciate how important the people, not just the science, has been in my journey. So allow me to share with you the ways in which the human element has been more important than the facts and figures in my path to a PhD. See, I have several teams…

The guidance team  

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Tannie Bev and us, “her children” 

I sincerely believe that these people exist solely for my sustained mental wellbeing on my academic journey. Through their guidance and extensive knowledge I have been given the freedom to make and learn from my mistakes. Beverly, for example (okay, I can’t help calling her “Tannie Bev”), does not allow me to begin any analysis without reading its protocol — no matter how many times I repeat the analysis. I must say in the beginning I thought it was exaggerated caution; however, one fateful Thursday when I almost did half the analysis I was supposed to do because I did not mix one of the two reagents I needed, she was the first and only person I thought of. There is also Mr Mlambo, affectionately referred to as “BRO- Mike” because though he is much more experienced than me in lab analysis I still can relate to him as a brother who will always protect his little sister. He sure does discipline like father though (laughs). Michael is that one person who will double-check the experimental procedure even when you have read the protocol twice! He will even help with some of experiments when he is not busy and as an added bonus he doesn’t mind keeping you company in the lab while you wait for crucibles to dry and cool down. The guidance team is in my life for a particular time and task but the love they show me lives on forever. When I grow up, I want to be just like them.

The destiny helpers

You get those people who are there for the purpose of propelling you closer to the finish line.  They are not really interested in your personal life, but just want to see you doing well in your academics (and your social life… if it exists).  They also don’t ask much beyond “are you alright, Sipo?” My destiny helpers are always available in my time of need. For instance, when I don’t know how to initiate my next intellectual or practical move, or get stuck along a path I thought I had figured out (which feels like the norm these days), they help me to stay focused and true to the ultimate goal.  More than anything I am grateful for them because they are vested in my dream, too.

 Crazy but cherished moments

 

The personal assistants

Often I have heard my younger sister refer to her friends as “the squad.” I must say the first time I heard it I was amazed by such a militant definition of people who actually like each other’s company but then (me being me) I went and found the definition of this word and to my liking I found “A group of people with a particular task.” Interesting, isn’t it.  Based on these findings (laughs), I can confidently conclude that I, too, have a squad.

These are the people who have handled my diary, read important emails I should have read but didn’t have the time to do so, helped me stay up at night because they don’t want me missing a deadline, and shared their 500g of chips in the middle of the night when I had nothing else to eat and shops were closed. Many of my deadlines would never have been met without their irritating (!) text messages like “Are you awake” and “You know you have to finish with that data analysis tonight right”… The squad has become my speed dial list. I now know them to be my “lab assistants” in the analysis of life.

Perhaps it is possible to work alone but I now know that the load is more bearable when I am willing to accept the help that is generously offered to me.