Catalysing gender transformation in research through engaging African science granting councils

Ingrid Lynch; Lyn E. Middleton; Lorenza Fluks; Nazeema Isaacs; Roshin Essop; Heidi van Rooyen

doi:10.17159/sajs.2024/17434

Authors

Ingrid Lynch 1.Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction Programme, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7418-9710
Lyn E. Middleton 1.Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Antimicrobial Research Unit, Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4045-5096
Lorenza Fluks Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3547-4164
Nazeema Isaacs Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6213-7617
Roshin Essop Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4075-0474
Heidi van Rooyen 1.Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.SAMRC-Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6502-6098

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2024/17434

Keywords:

gender equality, intersectionality, women in science, public funding agencies

Abstract

Science investments should benefit everyone; however, research still predominantly lacks gender integration, resulting in incomplete findings and inequitable outcomes. Moreover, despite some progress, gender disparities persist in the research workforce. Research funders, including science granting councils, are pivotal in driving gender transformation through shaping knowledge production and research infrastructure. We report on key findings from the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Gender Equality and Inclusivity (GEI) Project – a multi-year participatory intervention aimed at strengthening the capacities of councils to integrate GEI across their functions. Participating councils were located in 13 African countries, and their actions spanned four domains: building organisational GEI infrastructure; reshaping norms, practices, and power relations that perpetuate gender inequality; implementing targeted measures to address women’s unequal access to resources and research opportunities; and promoting collective ownership of efforts to advance GEI in the research and innovation ecosystem.

Significance:

Achieving gender transformation in research and innovation hinges on addressing two intertwined challenges: structural gender inequality in higher education and research institutions, and a lack of gender integration in research content and design.
Grant-makers influence decisions about who conducts and participates in research, the types of research approaches and topics prioritised, and the populations that benefit from research findings. Adopting a GEI lens in these decisions enhances research quality and promotes equity.
Our findings pinpoint entry points for leveraging grant-making practices to advance gender transformation and underscore the importance of rooting such interventions in context.