Programme / II. B Women as Leaders for Diversity and Development

If the powers of science, technology and innovation (STI) to grow the economy, quicken the pace of development, and contribute to evidence-based policy are to be fully realized, then the community of science leaders must be diverse. Consider scientist innovators: diversity among innovators increases the likelihood that the products and services created will address the needs and support development goals for all groups within a society, thus supporting sustainable peace and prosperity.

Studies in various sectors have shown that women leaders are held to higher standards than men and need to do more to prove themselves. Despite the slow, but unequivocal change, the world of science is no exception, women in leadership is still rather an exception than a rule of everyday life.

Variably, across the globe, individuals, institutions, and governments are tackling the obstacles—laws, practices, attitudes, and stereotypes—that limit women’s access to and stunt their leadership in STI careers across all sectors (e.g. academia, government, private sector and industry, etc). The extraordinary members of this panel have demonstrated their talent as scientists and leaders. Join them to discuss how to foster a new generation of women leaders in STI. Topics to be discussed include:

Why do we need women leaders in various STI sectors?

What are the strategies that women in STI need to employ to increase leadership within various sectors? What policies or programs are working, where, and why? What is working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region?

How does STI education need to change to be more inclusive and foster more women leaders in STI fields? How do academic institutions need to change beyond curriculum (e.g. governance and policies)?