Intersectionality in research, grant-making and human capital development: considerations for public funding agencies in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion

Abstract

Gender inequality remains a challenge in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI). While women are increasingly joining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational programmes, their representation decreases the further they proceed through the ???leaky??? STI pipeline. The UNESCO Institute of Statistics indicates that while Sub-Saharan Africa has made significant gains in the number of female tertiary graduates, only 30% of researchers in the region are women (Huyer, 2019). Gender parity on the continent is particularly low in STI leadership, decision-making, and senior research positions (African Academy of Sciences, 2020). Adopting an intersectional framework is increasingly acknowledged as important in meaningfully addressing persisting gender and other social inequalities in knowledge production in STI. Science Granting Councils (SGCs) play a key role in shaping research agendas, methods and content. This project aimed to contribute a greater understanding of intersectionality as a framework that supports inclusive gender transformation, with a focus on the strategic role of SGCs in advancing equality. The project is nested in a larger initiative ??? the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) ??? aimed at strengthening the capacities of SGCs in Sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies that contribute to economic and social development. Adopting a mixed-methods design, the project aimed to establish the extent to and the manner in which an intersectional framework is integrated throughout the grant-making, human capital development and research cycles. This report summarises key findings from a systematic review of research informed by an intersectional framework, individual interviews with subject specialists in intersectionality methodologies, and a desktop review of the integration of intersectionality into African SGCs??? policies and programmes. The report concludes with practical recommendations for African SGCs in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion through intersectional knowledge production and grant-making practices.