Mthembu Maphe, Baiyegunhi Omolara, Mdleleni Yanga, Ndlovu Lerato, Keal Hannah, Waddilove Kim, Yarrow Justin C, Kasprowicz Victoria, Ndung'u Thumbi, Wong Emily B
Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
Wellcome Open Res. 2023 Feb 24;7:87. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17668.2. eCollection 2022.
Underrepresentation of women in scientific leadership is a global problem. To understand and counter narratives that limit gender equity in African science, we conducted a public engagement campaign. Scientists representing six sub-Saharan African countries and multiple career stages used superhero imagery to create a diverse and unified team advocating for gender equity in science. In contrast to many traditional scientific environments and global campaigns, this "PowerPack of SuperScientists" was led by early-career Black female scientists whose perspectives are often under-represented in discussions about gender equity in science. The superhero imagery served as a powerful and fun antidote to imposter syndrome and helped to subvert traditional power structures based on age, race and sex. In an interactive social media campaign, the PowerPack developed insights into three themes: a) cultural stereotypes that limit women's scientific careers, b) the perception of a "conflict" between family and career responsibilities for women scientists, and c) solutions that can be adopted by key stakeholders to promote gender equity in African science. The PowerPack proposed solutions that could be undertaken by women working individually or collectively and interventions that require allyship from men, commitment from scientific institutions, and wider societal change. Further work is required to fully engage African scientists from even more diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds and institutions in these solutions and to enhance commitment by different stakeholders to achieving gender equity in science. Our experience suggests that creative tools should be used to subvert power dynamics and bring fresh perspectives and urgency to this topic.
女性在科学领导岗位上的代表性不足是一个全球性问题。为了理解并反驳那些限制非洲科学领域性别平等的观点，我们开展了一场公众参与活动。来自撒哈拉以南非洲六个国家、处于多个职业阶段的科学家利用超级英雄形象组建了一个多元化且团结的团队，倡导科学领域的性别平等。与许多传统科学环境和全球活动不同的是，这个“超级科学家动力组”由处于职业生涯早期的黑人女性科学家领导，她们的观点在关于科学领域性别平等的讨论中常常被忽视。超级英雄形象成为了对抗冒名顶替综合症的有力且有趣的解药，并有助于颠覆基于年龄、种族和性别的传统权力结构。在一场互动式社交媒体活动中，动力组对三个主题有了深刻见解：a）限制女性科学事业的文化刻板印象，b）女性科学家对家庭和职业责任之间“冲突”的认知，以及c）关键利益相关者为促进非洲科学领域性别平等可采取的解决方案。动力组提出了女性可单独或集体采取的解决方案，以及需要男性提供支持、科研机构做出承诺和更广泛社会变革的干预措施。还需要进一步开展工作，让来自更多样化、处境更不利背景和机构的非洲科学家充分参与到这些解决方案中，并增强不同利益相关者对实现科学领域性别平等的承诺。我们的经验表明应使用创造性工具来颠覆权力动态，并为这个话题带来新的视角和紧迫感。
