DDI-KEN-APHRC-IDRCWS-2020-v01
Examining Participation and Quality of Experiences of Women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics: Postgraduate Training Programs and Careers in East Africa
IDRC Women in STEM
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Kenya | KEN |
| Uganda | UGA |
| Tanzania | TZN |
| Rwanda | RWN |
| Burundi | BRN |
Administrative Records, Education (ad/edu]
N/A
High quality postgraduate training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related disciplines in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is important to strengthen research evidence to advance development and ensure countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Equally, participation of women in STEM careers is vital, to ensure that countries develop economies that work for all their citizens. However, women and girls remain underrepresented in STEM due to gender stereotyping, lack of visible role models, and unsupportive policies and work environments. Therefore, there is a need to consolidate information on participation and experiences of women in STEM related postgraduate training and careers in SSA to enhance their contribution to realizing the SDGs.
The primary objective of this study is to examine the participation and experiences of women in postgraduate training, and their subsequent recruitment, retention and progression in STEM careers in East Africa. A secondary objective is to establish the gender gaps in training and career engagement in selected STEM related academic disciplines in East Africa. The descriptive study will employ a mixed methods approach, including a scoping review, qualitative interviews, and quantitative analysis of secondary data. We will synthesize results to inform the development of an effective gendered approach and framework to improve participation and experiences of women in STEM training and career engagements in SSA. We will conduct the study over a period of five years.
Individual
Women in STEM
2024-06-05
N/A
POSTGRADUATE STUDENT: Discipline, highest level of education, funding, enrollment, academic year, study mode, students distribution in STEM discipline, currently more men than women occupying entry potitions in my discipline, currently more women than men occupying entry positions in my position in my discipline, more men than women occupying lecturer positions in my discipline, currently more men than women occupying professor positionsin my discipline positions in my discipline, currently more women than men occupying professor positions in my discipline,
Domestic responsibilities affect on Progress in your studies, Domestic responsibilities affect on Your research and publication, Domestic responsibilities affect on Your work promotion, Domestic responsibilities affect on Completion of Masters or PhD degree, An equal number of men and women enrolled in courses at Master’s level in my discipline, An equal number of men and women enrolled in courses at PhD level in my discipline, An equal number of men and women who have graduated at Masters level, Equal number of men and women who have graduated at PhD level, Female potential supervisors, Changing perception towards women
RESEARCHER: designation, institution, position, duration in current position, supervision, gender of supervisor, supervisee, gender of supervisee, gender of supervisor, mentorship, mentee, gender of mentee, effect of gender of the mentor or mentee on the quality of mentor-mentee relationship, mentorship effect on career progression, Effect of COVID19 on obtaining research funding, COVID19 pandemic caused you to work from home, Going into your university or work office during COVID19, Working from home effect on progress in Supervision related factors, Access to books_journals_internet_student_seminars_other_resources, Delayed progression of academic calendar, halted academic calendar, delayed progression of research project, halted research project, Direct responsibilities caring for children, Children under your care Under 5 Years, Children between 6 to 12 Years, Children between 13 to 17 Years, Other domestic responsibilities, Domestic responsibilities changed since the COVID19 pandemic, Domestic responsibilities changed since the COVID19 pandemic on progress in your studies, domestic responsibilities changed since the COVID-19 pandemic Your research and publication, Domestic responsibilities changed since the COVID19 pandemic on your work promotion, Domestic responsibilities changed since the COVID19 pandemic on completion of Masters or PhD degree, Easier to work from home, Completing more tasks and meeting more deadlines than usual by working from home,My children are understanding and respect the time and space I need to work from home, My spouse is supportive when I am working from home, The organization I work for provides the necessary administrative and technical support I need to work from home, My line manager or supervisor provides clear direction on daily or weekly tasks, My deadlines set by my line supervisor are reasonable and communicated well to me, I have a good relationship with my line supervisor and we communicate frequently, I am uncertain about progress of my project,I am uncertain about progress of my career, COVID19 pandemic affected your access to Computer or laptop, access to Reliable Internet, access to Assistive Technology, access to Laboratory equipment, access to University Library, access to Archives or special collections, access to patients or research participants, Benefits to COVID19 for your work, Most challenging aspects of the COVID19 for your work, Ways you think your supervisor could support you manage the impacts of COVID19 on your research work, Ways you think your supervisor could support you or help you manage the impacts of COVID19 on your studies
Regional coverage (East Africa Region)
Qualitative data: Women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in postgraduate training and career
Quantitative data: Postgraduate students, faculty, reseachers and supervisors (both men and women) in STEM in Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) member Universitiies
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Evelyne Gitau, PhD | African Population and Health Research Center |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Anne M. Khisa, PhD | African Population and Health Research Center | Co-Investigator |
| Karimi, Florah, PhD | African Population and Health Research Center | Co-Investigator |
| Wao, Hesborn, PhD | African Population and Health Research Center | Co-Investigator |
| Vicente-Crespo, Marta, PhD | African Population and Health Research Center | Co-Investigator |
| Leah Mwangi | African Population and Health Research Center | Project Manager |
| Laura Rachel Naidi | University of Oxford | Co-Investigator |
| Hiram Kariuki Ndichu | African Population and Health Research Center | Data documentation specialist |
| Abel Simiyu | African Population and Health Research Center | Data documentation specialist |
| Bonface Ingumba | African Population and Health Research Center | Data Governance expert |
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| International Development Research Centre | Funder |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Michael Mawa | Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) | Head of the Quality Assurance and Qualifications Framework unit in Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) |
| Dr. Dieudonne Uwizeye | University of Rwanda | Collaborator, Rwanda |
| Dr. Yves Ndayikunda | Bujumbura Light University | Collaborator, Burundi |
| Dr. Paul Albert | University of Dar es Salaam | Collaborator, Tanzania |
| Prof Masharabu Tatien | National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, Burundi | Permanent Executive Secretary |
| Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona | Inter-University Council for East Africa | Executive vice secretary |
| Dr. Salome Guchu | Inter-University Council for East Africa | Principal Innovation and Outreach Officer |
| Prof Vincent Ssembatya | National Council for Higher Education, Uganda | Principal Innovation and Outreach Officer |
| Prof. Claver Nijimbere | Science, Technology and Research, Burundi | Director General |
| Prof. Gasogo Anastasie | National Commission for Higher Education, Burundi | Lecturer and Vice-President |
| Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala | Ministry of Education, Kenya | Principal Secretary, State Department fo Higher Education |
| Judith Odhiambo | Ministry of Education, Kenya | Principal Secretary, State Department fo Higher Education |
| Prof. Mike Kuria | Commission for University Education (CUE) | CEO |
| Dr. Mary Onsarigo | National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation , Kenya | Senior Science Analyst |
| Ms. Margaret Muthee | National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation , Kenya | Senior Science Analyst |
| Hildegalda Prosper Mushi | Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology | Research Scientist |
| Dr. Waruguru Mburu | KCA University | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Rachael Kibuku | KCA University | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Esther Nthiga | Dedan Kimathi University Agriculture and Technology | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Joyce Kiplimo | University of Kabiaga | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Rachael Njeri Ndung’u | Murang'a University of Technology | Ag. Chairman of Department |
| Dr. Umulkher Ali Abdilahi | Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology | Director, Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages |
| Prof. Charles Mutai | Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology | DVC, Planning, research and innovation |
| Dr. Josephine Kagunda | University of Nairobi | Senior Lecturer |
| Prof. Wilson K. Kipng’eno | University of Kabianga | Vice Chancellor |
| Prof. David Malonza | South Easter Kenya University | Associate Professor |
| Dr. Damian Respicius Shumbusho | University of Dar Es Salaam | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Zubeda S. Musa | University of Dar Es Salaam | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Anitha Philbert | University of Dar Es Salaam | Senior Lecturer |
| Ema Boki | University of Dar Es Salaam | Postgraduate Student |
| Dr. Zubeda S. Musa | University of Dar Es Salaam | Postgraduate Student |
| Prof. Levina Msuya | Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College | Associate Professor |
| Prof. Grace Kinabo | Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College | Associate Professor |
| Dr. Ali M. Ussi | State University of Zanzibar | Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research and Consultancy |
| Dr. Godefroid Mudaheranwa | Open University of Tanzania | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Mary-Winnie Asifa Nanyaro | Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Jolly Rubagiza | University of Rwanda | Faculty - Gender studies |
| Dr Delphine Mukingambeho | University of Rwanda | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Bikorimana Gerard | University of Rwanda | Senior Lecturer, HoD of Social Sciences |
| Dr. Noella Josiane Umuhoza Karemera | University of Rwanda | Senior Lecturer, Ag. Director of the Centre of Postgraduate Studies |
| Dr. Myriam Mujawamaliya | University of Rwanda | Faculty - Environmental sciences |
| Prof. Bideri Ishuheli Nyamulinda | University of Rwanda | Director of Research |
| Prof. Madelaine Mukeshimana | University of Rwanda | Faculty - Community Health Nursing |
| Prof. Nusura Hassan | Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) | Director General of ENS |
| Rev. Dr Pascal Bigirimana | Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) | Vice chancellor |
| Dr. Jeanine Ndihokubwayo | Hope Africa University | Director Quality Assurance |
| Rev. Dr Apollinaire Bangayimbaga | University of Ngozi | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr Silas SAYUMWE | Gitega Polytechnic University | Vice chancellor |
| Prof. Marie Josée Bigendako | University of Burundi | DVC - University |
| Armel Ishimwe | Bujumbura Light University | Assistant Dean - Light University |
| David Byamungu | Bujumbura Light University | Lecturer |
| Dr. Saphina Biira | Busitema University | Deputy Vice Chancellor |
| Dr. Charles Namisi | Uganda Martyrs University | Senior Lecturer |
| Prof. Justus Kwetegyeka | Kyambogo University | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Wamala Robert | Makerere University | Director |
| Dr. Lamwaka Alice | Gulu University | Senior Lecturer |
| Dr. Halima Akbar | Islamic University | Registrar |
| Marie Eglantine Juru | Inter-University Council for East Africa | Senior. Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (Former) |
| Dorine Rwehera | Inter-University Council for East Africa | Coordinator- EAC Scholarship Programme |
| Dr. Lysa Carole Niketa | Bujumbura Light University | Faculty |
| Dr. Karimumuryango Menedore | University of Burundi | Faculty |
The study utilized a purposive sampling technique and targeted all universities that offered doctoral programs in applied sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. At the time, only 23 of the 74 universities in Kenya—equivalent to 30%—offered doctoral degrees in STEM. It was assumed that a similar or lower percentage would be found in the other five countries, namely Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from purposively selected universities and national higher education commissions and agencies for the study. In universities, all students enrolled in doctoral programs in STEM were considered. Additionally, female and male students' lecturers, supervisors, mentors, and other faculty members and researchers in the identified institutions were also considered for participation in the study.
Purposive sampling of doctoral students, faculty, and early career researchers (post-doctoral fellows within the first six years since receiving their PhD) was conducted using the following inclusion criteria:
Inclusion criteria
i. Worked in a STEM field/discipline
ii. Enrolled in a doctoral program within a STEM field
iii. Early career researchers in a STEM field in research organizations
iv. Faculty in a STEM field at a university
Additionally, registrars, postgraduate training coordinators, heads of departments, and officials from national agencies and ministries related to postgraduate training and research were purposively selected from all the identified universities to provide input on existing policies, guidelines, and enrollment data. For each of the mentioned groups, 7-12 interviews were conducted, totaling 60 interviews.
Qualitative
For the Key informant interviews one participant was interviewed from the engineers board despite the scope being Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) member Universities.
Quantitative
The online survey was completed by some researchers not working/teaching in IUCEA member universities
Quantitaive
The online survey link was circulated using contacts within universities and research institutions in East Africa via email and social media platforms such as WhatApp hence it is impossible to track those who received the survey and hence it is not possible t calculate the survey response rate.
N/A
Quantitative data collection
A. Online Survey
This was carried out through an online survey questionnaire that was circulated via email and other digital platforms such as WhatsApp. The questionnaire had various parts:
Part A - Participants characteristics
This section mainly collected demographic details such as age, gender, nationality, residence, marital status, income, highest level of education completed, year of study, supervision and mentoship relationship, field of study in STEM (Science, Technology, Enginnering and Mathematics), mode of funding of postgraduate degree,
Part B - Status of Gender equality
This section collected information on students enrollment and graduation in masters and PhD in STEM looking at gender distribution,
Part C - Factors that contribute to participation of women in STEM
This section collected information on the factors or situations encountered while pursuing career in STEM in your specific discipline
Part D - Strategies for Optimizing Women's Engagement in STEM
This section collected information on the strategies can maximize engagement of women in STEM training PhD level and subsequent careers
Part E - Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's progression
In this section collected information on COVID-19 pandemic affect on research progress or deadline for submission of thesis, COVID-19 pandemic affect on current research funding, COVID-19 pandemic caused researchers to work from home, working from affected progress in studies, any direct responsibilities caring for children, number of children being taken care of, change of domestic work responsibilities since the COVID-19 outbreak, change of domestic work responsibilities since the COVID-19 outbreak on studies, COVID-19 pandemic affect on access to these research tools which inlude: Computer or laptop, Reliable Internet, Assistive Technology, Laboratory equipment, University Library, Archives/special collections and Access to patients/research participants. It als collected information on: any benefits to COVID-19 pandemic for your work, some ways one thinks their supervisor or line manager could support or help one manage the impacts of COVID-19 on studies
The questionnaire was developed in English and was latertranslated into French to accommodate the French speaking countries i.e Burundi and Rwanda. The French questionnaire was backtlanslated to English to ensure the questions still maintained their original meaning. This work was done by an external consultant and the French questionnaires were reviewed by the research assistant from Burundi and tested among postgraduate students in Light University.
All questionnares and modules are provided as external resources.
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2021-04-27 | 2023-05-31 |
Secondary data - in Kenya data was collected by research assistant reporting to the project manager. In Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda the data was collected by research assistants who were supervised by the country collaborators.
Online Interviews - The research assistants sent out the link with the online survey to all postgraduate students and faculty members in institutions across the five East African countries. Each country had one research assistant. Their roles were to send out the survey as well as conducting follow ups for those who had not completed the survey. Due to the low response rate in Burundi, the research asisitant went to the
Qualitative interviews: In-depth interviews and the focus group discussions were carried out by research assistants with the support of the larger project team. In Kenya the indepth interviews were conducted by the program coordinator. In Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda the interviews were collected by research assistants who were supervised by the country collaborators. The responsibility of the research assistants was mainly scheduling interviews, conducting the interviews, taking notes, recording and transcribing the audios.
Qualitative
The data was collected through qualitative interviews (In-depth interviews) and focus group discussions. They were audio recorded and the recordings were transcribed on Ms Ofiice.The transcript were subjected to data quality checks and the clean transcripts were anonyzed for data protection.
QUANTITATIVE
Secondary data
The data was collected from the five countries in an Ms Excel designed data abstraction sheet. The data abstraction sheet helped the universities administrators and rergistrars to directly enter the data only in the required field and for the defined or specific variables. For the dataset that was in hardcopy format the data entry was also done using the data abstraction sheets. The data sets were subjected to data quality checks for data quality. We used a standard template to ensure data editing took place during data entry.
Online survey
Data entry was in form of responding to the survey. Data editing was done while cleaning the data.
NA
| Name | |
|---|---|
| African Population and Health Reasearch Center | datarequest@aphrc.org/info@aphrc.org |
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DDI-KEN-APHRC-IDRCWS-2020-v01
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN POPULATION AND HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER | APHRC | DDI Documentation |
2024-06-24
Version 1.0 (June 2024)
