Women’s representation in national science academies : an unsettling narrative
Date
2017-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academy of Science of South Africa
Abstract
Science academies are well placed to contribute towards strengthening of national systems of innovation through advocating for an increased participation of girls and women in science. To successfully do so, academies would need to overcome challenges faced with regard to women’s representation in their own ranks and women’s resultant full participation in the activities of national science academies. We collected baseline data on the representation of women scientists in the membership and governance structures of national science academies that are affiliated with IAP: the Global Network of Science Academies. Women academy members remained far below parity with men, given that women’s membership was typically about 12%. Women members were better represented in the social sciences, humanities and arts but the corresponding shares rarely exceeded 20%. In the natural sciences and engineering, women’s membership remained well below 10%. On average, the largest share of women members (17%) was associated with academies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The average share of women serving on governing bodies was 20%. To change this unsettling narrative, the importance of academies of science annually collecting, analysing and reporting gender-disaggregated data on membership and activities is highlighted as a key recommendation. Several aspects of women’s representation and participation in national science academies are highlighted for further investigation.
Description
CITATION: Ngila, D., et al. 2017. Women’s representation in national science academies : an unsettling narrative. South African Journal of Science, 113(7/8), Art. #2017-0050, doi:10.17159/sajs.2017/20170050.
The original publication is available at http://sajs.co.za
The original publication is available at http://sajs.co.za
Keywords
Gender -- Statistical data, Academy of Sciences -- Representation -- Women, ASSAf -- Representation -- Women, Academy of Science of South Africa, ASSAf, InterAmerican Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS), Academy of Science of South Africa -- Membership -- Women
Citation
Ngila, D., et al. 2017. Women’s representation in national science academies : an unsettling narrative. South African Journal of Science, 113(7/8), Art. #2017-0050, doi:10.17159/sajs.2017/20170050.