Science and Engineering Careers in Research Organizations. Dr. Ethiopia Nigussie Senior Research Fellow University of Turku

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1 Science and Engineering Careers in Research Organizations Dr. Ethiopia Nigussie Senior Research Fellow University of Turku

2 Research Education and research are vital for economic development When a country educates its citizens women as well as men Economic productivity rises The health and educational prospects of the next generation are improved Diversity in a research team is an asset Increases creativity and effectiveness of a team Collective intelligence of a team improves as its gender balance improves 2

3 Research in STEM Research institutes and organizations are source of innovations and scientific breakthroughs We all should take part actively Innovations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) have potential impact for poverty eradication and the achievement of sustainable development Women are more driven to society-centerd innovations Inclusion of women in a research group enables a shift in innovation targets 3

4 Research careers in STEM A path to innovation Flexibile working hours Working with deadlines Well organized time planning Multitasking Able to adapt with rapid technology advancements and evolving research topics Active cooperation locally and internationally is a necessity 4

5 Research careers in STEM Requires a growthmindset Fixed Mindset Intelligence is static. Leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to avoid challenges give up easily due to obstacles see effort as fruitless ignore useful feedback be threatened by others success Growth Mindset Intelligence can be developed. Leads to a desire to learn and therefore a tendency to embrace challenges persist despite obstacles see effort as path to mastery learn from criticism be inspired by others success 5

6 Research careers in STEM Set clear performance targets Actively discuss and brainstorm ideas within research team Take active role in proposingresearch topics and directions Take a leading role in publishing your work Request feedbacks from colleagues Accept criticism positively 6

7 Gender Gap in STEM Research Organizations The number of women in STEM research institutes are few HEI Total staff Female proportion of total staff Female proportion of academic staff Female proportion of academic science and technology staff 10 universities and colleges in Kenya 11 universities and colleges in Tanzania 7 universities and colleges in Uganda National University in Rwanda % 11% 3% % 16% 7% % 17% 5% % 21% 2% 7

8 Gender Gap in STEM Research Organizations Why few women? Bias, often unconscious, limits women s progress in STEM fields Women are harder on themselves when assessing their abilities compared to male Women tend to shy away 8

9 Gender Gap in STEM Research Organizations We need to make sure that future STEM solutions to Africa's problems gain from the perspectives of women and men Important for innovation and entrepreneurship success on the continent A diverse team Dilutes the influence of traditional social stereotypes Enable more ideas to be discussed Produce more balanced attitudes to risk contribute a variety of problem solving styles Studies have shown that the collective intelligence of a team improves as its gender balance improves. 9

10 Reducing Gender Gap What can be done? We need to first change our mindsets to believe that we can be the change makers Advocacy and enactment of appropriate policies Capacity building in teaching and research in new and emerging areas of STEM Raise awareness about bias against women in STEM fields Mentoring Role models 10

11 Reducing Gender Gap Women could achieve more If we start telling the world what we are doing Start networking and Share resources and job opportunities to increase the women in STEM 11

12 Mentoring Raising awareness about stereotype threat and how to tackle it Share your passion for science and engineering The way we communicate with girls about engineering is extremely important Solving problems for humanity using machines generate far more excitement Help mentees to recognize their career-relevant skills and how to improve it further Share your professional experiences 12

13 Role Models Be a role model Seeing a successful role model Students begin to understand who they can become and how STEM can help them to get there Increases interest and success Role models can support students confidence and provide counterfactuals to negative stereotypes 13

14 Women in STEM Initiatives There are a number of initiatives in Africa and worldwide IEEE Women in Engineering WAAW (Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Women) WMIAfrica WiSTEM Gender summit for Africa Be actively involved in these intiatives 14