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.
 
 
 
 
 Significance: 
 
 
 
 Demonstrates under-representation of women in national science academies.
 Reports on results of the first gender-disaggregated survey on membership and governance of national science academies, globally.
 Underscores the importance of regular collection, analysis and reporting of gender-disaggregated data in the science sector.
 
 
 
Highlights
EMAIL: The participation of women in science has attracted significant attention in recent decades, as evidenced by the growing number of policy-oriented studies on the topic[1,2,3,4,5,6] and the many scholarly studies in the academic literature[7,8,9]
Typical themes include the participation of the girl-child in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)[10,11,12], women scientists’ representation and performance in STEM occupations[13,14,15,16], gender differences with regard to remuneration and promotion practices[17,18], and women’s access to technologies[19,20], to mention a few
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) survey enquired about the existence of an academy committee to address gender and/or diversity issues, or at the least someone to advise the academy on such issues
Summary
EMAIL: The participation of women in science has attracted significant attention in recent decades, as evidenced by the growing number of policy-oriented studies on the topic[1,2,3,4,5,6] and the many scholarly studies in the academic literature[7,8,9]. Typical themes include the participation of the girl-child in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)[10,11,12], women scientists’ representation and performance in STEM occupations[13,14,15,16], gender differences with regard to remuneration and promotion practices[17,18], and women’s access to technologies[19,20], to mention a few.
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