This book provides a roadmap for those embarking on a career in STEM, whether in the research or industry realms. Focusing on paths taken by women, the contributors lend their stories, tips and tricks, and hardships they faced entering into fields historically dominated by men. The authors provide practical advice, highlighting soft skills that are not often taught as modules in the classroom. Topics include research collaborations, performance enhancement, the gender lens in research design and development, imposter syndrome felt by many women in science, ethics in science, scaling feminine leadership, being an influencer as a science leader, and time and resources optimization for career advancement in science from resource-poor settings. Others interested in science and its impacts on society will also find the book informative and timely. As an important part of the Organization for Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD), University of Port Harcourt Branch Book project, the work hopes to inspire women and men, girls and boys to enter and apply themselves to secure the future in STEM.
Author(s): Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi
Series: Women in Engineering and Science
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 217
City: Cham
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Contents
Contributors
About the Author
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Science Education: A Veritable Tool for Development
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Content of Science to Non-traditional Scientists
2.3 The Concept of Development
2.4 Sustainable Development
2.5 Development Indices
Gross National Product Index
Human Development Framework
Social Development Framework
Sustainable Development Framework
2.6 Nexus Between Education and Development
Science Education and National Development
Application of Science Education (Engineering) and Development
Ways in Which Application of Science Education (Engineering) Contributes to Economic Development
2.7 Current and Future Role of the Application of Science (Engineering)
References
Chapter 3: Taking Research Outcomes to Target Beneficiaries: Research Uptake, Meaning and Benefits
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research: Concept and Purpose
Concept
Purpose
3.3 Research Uptake: Meaning and Benefits
3.4 Brief Guide on Implementing Research Uptake Activity
When Do We Begin to Plan Our Research Uptake Programme?
Defining Objectives and Type of Research Objective Activity to Hold
Identifying Stakeholders in Research Uptake Programme (Stakeholder Mapping)
Developing Research Uptake Message
Identifying Effective Communication Channel and Produce Materials
Hold Team Meeting to Assess Preparedness
3.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Research Collaborations for Enhanced Performance and Visibility of Women Scientists
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Purposeful Collaboration and Collaborators
4.3 Types of Collaboration
4.4 Factors to Be Considered Before Initiating Research Collaborations
4.5 Role of Scientific Organizations in Fostering and Funding Collaborations
4.6 Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Research Collaboration in STEMM: Pathways to Survival for Women in Science
4.7 Creativity and Innovation in Research Amidst the Pandemic
4.8 Managing the Virtual Space for Optimal Research Output Following Travel Restriction
4.9 Role of Professional Societies in Creating Beneficial Research Collaboration
Professional Societies – General, Discipline- and Gender-Specific Societies
Benefits Derivable from Active Participation in Professional Activities
Professional Societies that Women Scientists Can Join to Enhance Their Careers
4.10 Utilization of Research Resources to Enhance Performance and Visibility
Publishing research data: What, Where and with who to publish
Career-Enhancing Web Resources
Role of Active Researcher Profile Databases in the Projection of Women Scientists’ Achievements (African Scientists Directory)
Registration and Active Presence on Professional Social Media Platforms
4.11 Mentoring as a Tool for Career Growth and Development
Importance of Mentoring for Women Scientists
Mentoring Strategies for Career Performance Improvement
Benefits of Mentoring for Women Scientists Across Sectors and Career Stages
4.12 Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Archiving Tool for Science and Scientist
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Archive: The Meaning and Types
5.3 Types of Archives
Government Archive
Academic Archive
Business (For-Profit) Archive
Church
Non-profit Archive
Web Archive
Individual/Personal Archive
5.4 The Concept of Science
5.5 Branches of Science
5.6 Impacts of Science
5.7 Scientists
5.8 Archive Roles/Tool for Science and Scientists
5.9 Protecting Authenticity
5.10 Providing Context
5.11 Preserving the Scientific Heritage
5.12 Cataloguing
5.13 Preservation
5.14 Transfer of Knowledge/Bridging the Gap
5.15 Conclusion
5.16 General Suggestions
References
Chapter 6: Wearing Our Gender Lens in Research Design and Development
6.1 Introduction
6.2 What Is Gender?
6.3 Gender-Responsive Research
6.4 What Is Gender Mainstreaming?
6.5 Why Is It Important to Wear a Gender Lens When Designing and Developing Our Research?
6.6 How to Properly Wear the Gender Lens?
6.7 Gender Analysis
6.8 When Should Gender Analysis Be Used?
6.9 Gender Analysis Tools
References
Chapter 7: Impostor Syndrome with Women in Science
7.1 Introduction
7.2 What Impostor Syndrome Is Not
7.3 Types of Impostor Syndrome
7.4 Summary of the Simplest Way the Different Types Measure Their Accomplishments
7.5 Possible Causes and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome
7.6 Measurement Scale for Impostor Syndrome
7.7 Sufferers of Impostor Phenomenon
7.8 Potential Characteristics of Impostor Phenomenon
7.9 Consequences of Impostor Phenomenon
7.10 How to Harness the Inner Impostor
7.11 Tips for Harnessing Impostor Syndrome (Cuncic, 2021; Sobara, 2020)
7.12 Conclusion
References
Chapter 8: The Beauty of Research Data in an Information-Driven World
8.1 Introduction
8.2 What Is Research Data?
8.3 Forms of Research Data
8.4 Sources of Research Data
Primary Source
Secondary Source
8.5 Categories of Research Data
Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
8.6 Research Data Collection Techniques
Primary Data Collection Techniques
Secondary Data Collection Techniques
8.7 Guidelines for Generating Research Data
8.8 Research Data Life Cycle
8.9 Research Data Management
The Need to Manage Research Data
8.10 Why Research Data?
8.11 Conclusion
References
Chapter 9: Women in Academia: Developing Self-Confidence and Assertiveness
9.1 Introduction
9.2 What Are Self-Confidence and Assertiveness?
Self-Confidence
Assertiveness
9.3 Benefits of Being Assertive
9.4 Developing Self-Confidence
9.5 Developing Assertiveness
9.6 A Note of Caution
References
Chapter 10: The Secret to Being an Influencer as a Science Leader
10.1 Introduction
10.2 It Is Important to Know Your Values
10.3 A Science Leader Must Have Confidence
10.4 Maximize Your Potentials or Influential Opportunity
10.5 Effective Communication
Skills to Effective Communication
10.6 Build Connections
10.7 Listen Before You Try to Persuade
10.8 Mind Your Body Language (and Your Tone)
10.9 Develop Expertise
10.10 Map a Strategy
10.11 Best Practices of a Successful Influencer
10.12 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: Ethics in Science Through the Lens of COVID-19 Pandemic
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Duty to Society
11.3 Beneficence
11.4 Integrity
11.5 Nondiscrimination Ethics
11.6 Privacy and Confidentiality
11.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 12: Time and Resource Optimization for Career Advancement by Women Scientists from Resource-Poor Settings
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Peculiarities of Women Scientists in Resource-Poor Settings
12.3 Approaches to Time Optimization for Career Advancement
12.4 Ideas on Resource Optimization
Money
Support Network
Engage and Get Involved
Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
Identify and Maximize Opportunities
12.5 Aiming for Global Impact and Relevance as Women in Science
Town and Gown Interaction – Translational Research
Demand-Driven Research
Capacity Building
Identifying Mentors and Being a Mentor
Project Yourself to the World (Research(er) Visibility)
12.6 Case Study
12.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 13: The Urgent Need to Scale Enlightened Feminine Leadership for Conscious Evolution
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Confidence Versus Competence
13.3 The Great Reset
13.4 Our Ancestors Are Forever Part of Us
13.5 Conclusion
References
Index
