Women in research and academia

Sharon Boateng, Program Manager of the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, hosts an impactful online panel titled "Women in Research and Academia."

Profile image of Sharon Boateng

Collaborative efforts in gender inclusion

The workshop, on 11 March 2024, served as a crucial platform for participants from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, members of the Digital Education Practitioner Network, and fellows from the Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) Doctoral Programme to explore the ongoing challenges related to gender inclusion in research and higher education.

Key discussions and insights

The panel featured esteemed speakers, including Professor Nicole De Wet-Billings from Wits University, Dr. Omolabake Fakunle from the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Seth Amanfo, also from the University of Edinburgh. These experts shared their personal experiences and professional insights on several critical issues:

  • Female Representation in Leadership: The session highlighted the importance of increasing female representation in leadership positions within academia, emphasising that this should go beyond mere tokenism to meaningful inclusion.

  • Imposter Syndrome: The pervasive issue of imposter syndrome was discussed, with a focus on strategies to empower women to confidently assert themselves in decision-making processes.

  • Mentorship and Support: The value of career mentorship was underscored, particularly the importance of seeking diverse mentors who can offer different perspectives and support systems.

Reflections and takeaways

Sharon Boateng reflected on the progress that still needs to be made in ensuring that all individuals are valued and respected within research and academia. Despite these challenges, she expressed optimism, stating:

Spaces of sharing can bring voice to the diverse experiences of women in academia, providing reassurance and courage to continue pursuing equitable and systemic change across universities.

Sharon Boateng Program Manager of the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Participant feedback

Sibongile Mlotya, a WESAF Doctoral Fellow, shared her thoughts on the session, saying, “Hearing from the panel, not only women but men as well, about challenges and experiences gave me hope. Such workshops equip us with tools to prepare for an existence in academia that is kinder, empowering, inclusive, and encouraging for women to lead in research and academia.”

Discover more

For more details about this event, visit the WESAF Doctoral Programme website and follow us on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming events and initiatives:

WESAF Doctoral Programme website

Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) Doctoral Programme LinkedIn

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