Participation in Communities of Women Scientists in Central America: Implications From the Science Diplomacy Perspective.

Kleinsy Bonilla,Margarita Alonzo,Deysi Renderos,Camila Calles-Minero,Ivonne Torres-Atencio,Johana Cabrera,Karina Aquino

doi:10.3389/frma.2021.661508

Abstract

The experience of building and participating in women scientists’ communities in Central America is a multi-layered topic worthy of study. Understanding the dynamics of these women’s groups, associations, and other forms of collective participation, could assist in shedding light on why women are typically under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research in countries within this region. The objectives of this study are (i) to explore the experiences of participation in communities of women scientists in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama, and (ii) to systematize the challenges and opportunities derived from such activities. Additionally, this work elaborates on some best practices from the Science Diplomacy (SD) perspective, which could provide a helpful framework to encourage these types of collective participatory communities. The qualitative research methodology was based on the collection of primary data from semi-structured interviews and responses to an online survey sent out to Central American women scientists. The findings of this study revealed few cases of community building experiences among women scientists within the studied countries. Evidence also showed the emergence of shared patterns in terms of barriers and disincentives to participating in such communities. Meanwhile, data collected from the few existing community groups is used to identify successful incentives and motivations. The analysis of the collected data offered relevant implications for Science Diplomacy. Most respondents referred to the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) as one of the main organizations that can impact and further Science Diplomacy. This organization promotes international engagement and networking among women scientists from developing countries across regions and this article shows how this has been used to foster women science community building in Central America. Exploring similar practices in-depth may offer opportunities to overcome traditional barriers and build further gender equality in science in Central America.

Highlights

Central America represents an ideal geographical locus for examining the building of women scientists’ communities, as well as, the dynamics of participation within those groups
In order to ensure that principles of inclusion/exclusion were adhered to, those interviewed needed to fulfill each of three criteria: 1) women scientists with origin from one of the selected Central American countries (Origin), 2) accomplished researcher with recognition
The significant gaps the region faces in terms of science and technology capacities are reflected in the limited experiences within the region of building communities among women scientists

Summary

Introduction

Central America represents an ideal geographical locus for examining the building of women scientists’ communities, as well as, the dynamics of participation within those groups. At a historic moment in which knowledge economies are evermore powerful, these societies struggle to allocate the critically needed resources to build science and technology capabilities Pressing problems such as acute poverty, structural inequality, political instability, and precarious access to basic services such as health and education, require the immediate attention of leaders and inevitably science and technology are relegated to a marginal position on the public agenda. In this context, the participation of women in research and scientific activities has been restricted by structural barriers which have diminished their ability to access career opportunities in STEM; the possibilities for engaging in community building and participation are limited. Reaching out to the scientific female diaspora has been a key feature of this networking, together with encouraged exchanges and collaborative processes among women from different parts of the world

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