Innovative Science Councils Advance Gender Equality in Research Funding
From March 18th to 20th, 2024, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg hosted pivotal discussions on integrating gender equality and inclusivity (GEI) into research funding frameworks. This gathering was a key part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), launched in 2015 to empower science granting councils (SGCs) across sub-Saharan Africa.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, led by Dr. Dorothy Ngila, shared significant advancements in embedding GEI into its operational frameworks since 2016. Dr. Ngila highlighted the critical role of patience and activism in effecting systemic changes, with the NRF’s adoption of an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) framework marking a major step forward. Parallelly, NRF Kenya’s participation, represented by Ms. Faith Wakhungu and Mr. Titus Kisangau, underscored the workshop’s importance for enhancing the council’s GEI strategies. Their engagement exemplified the collaborative spirit intended to permeate SGCs across the continent, demonstrating NRF Kenya’s commitment to leading by example in the regional push for inclusive research funding.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) of Germany, through Eva Reichwein, also showcased its efforts to promote gender equality and diversity within German academia. The DFG’s multifaceted approach included supporting work-life balance and actively mitigating decision-making biases. Interactive sessions further enriched the event, with councils from Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, and Zimbabwe critically refining their funding proposals under the guidance of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). These councils were encouraged to develop compelling pitches for their projects, illustrating the conference’s dual focus on theoretical discussions and practical application.
As the conference wrapped up, the emphasis on actionable changes and inter-council collaboration was clear, with NRF Kenya playing a pivotal role in championing GEI within the region’s research funding landscape.
