Although women’s participation in STEM research is increasing globally, this has not yet translated into equitable career advancement or leadership representation. Across higher education institutions, women remain under-represented in senior academic and leadership positions. This pattern is evident across Sub-Saharan Africa, where many female STEM academics aspire to build successful academic careers and move into leadership roles yet continue to encounter gendered barriers to progression.

Writing for publication sits at the centre of this challenge. In many African higher education systems, publication is closely tied to visibility, recognition, promotion and access to leadership. Yet the conditions that make publication possible, including time, mentorship, research networks, access to funding and institutional recognition, are themselves gendered. North-south collaborations can strengthen these conditions, although they often focus primarily on research outputs.

Read more at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/supporting-female-academics-subsaharan-africa-publish-and-lead