How early career research exchange can attract more women in STEM

Early career development is an important part of higher education and research institutions around the world.  Under this umbrella, various programmes are offered to help young researchers develop their skills and knowledge.  

Funding for these researchers is provided by governments and large research funding organisations. Conditions, criteria and eligibility, therefore, vary substantially between programmes and countries. 

Some initiatives are specifically geared towards enabling researchers to secure multi-year opportunities, while others offer short-term training and exchanges. The latter exchange fellowships are immensely important as they offer researchers a chance to engage with peers and mentors outside of their own institutions and countries.  

The value in this is not only in the skills and knowledge exchanged but also enabling young researchers to grow their networks and increase direct access to a pool of other fellow researchers. 

Considering this, it is understandable that there is great demand for funded exchange fellowships among young researchers. However, the uptake of these fellowships is not equal between genders, and great emphasis is now being placed on encouraging more female researchers to use these opportunities.  

With this in mind, it is worth considering the barriers undermining women’s ability to secure these compared to their male counterparts. 

Acknowledging responsibilities and decision making

Most research fellowships that focus on the ‘early career’ group, base their criteria for candidates within the 5 year period from obtaining their PhD.  For many women, this may coincide with also having a young family, making travel and extended stays impossible from a practical perspective.  

Women still carry much of the burden of family responsibility, and depending on their culture, this may also include responsibility for extended family.  These added expectations placed on women mean they face the challenge of even being able to consider an exchange fellowship at all.  

Safety is another issue that might be considered differently among genders. Traveling to an unfamiliar country is a challenge for anyone. For young women in particular, it is essential that they consider their personal safety with greater measure.  

The choice of exchange destination may be based on safety considerations, or they may opt to decline opportunities altogether.  Similarly, the level of support offered by the programme and the host institution may vary, playing another significant role in a woman’s decision making.  

Changing the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach

What can research funding organisations do to help encourage more women to apply for exchange programmes and fellowships? 

First, it’s important to note that the expectations and requirements in different regions will vary, and acknowledge that what works in one area might not in another.  

Therefore, programmes must ensure criteria fits the regional expectations, rather than applying a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. It is encouraging to see many funders supporting fellowships and exchanges and also facilitating these within funded research projects.  

Collaborating with host institutions in developing the criteria and selection process, and providing financial support is important to ensure adequate resources are allocated to incoming researchers.  

Exchanges offer the opportunity for established colleagues to mentor and develop the next generation of scientists. New ideas and methods might arise through these interactions which are beneficial to both mentees and mentors.  

Feedback from established researchers on what is needed to support them in accomplishing this knowledge exchange should be part of designing exchange programmes. 

Noting the issues predominately faced by women, and allowing some flexibility within programmes may help make exchange more attractive and feasible. For example, re-examining start dates, or breaking up the programme length into shorter periods.

Ultimately it is important that the women researchers themselves voice the challenges they face. When it comes to these exchange programmes in particular, this can enable the right kinds of changes and support a positive shift.  

Written by PiNC Lab Research Coordinator & Manager Ruwani Walawege