Women in Leadership: Context, Dynamics and Boundaries

Author(s):  
Karin Klenke
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S357-S357
Author(s):  
Jennifer Manne-Goehler ◽  
Douglas Krakower ◽  
Jasmine R Marcelin ◽  
Carlos Del Rio ◽  
Wendy Stead

Abstract Background Recent evidence has shown substantial disparities in the rate of advancement to full professorship among women as compared to men faculty in academic infectious diseases (ID). We sought to identify barriers to academic advancement overall and by gender among faculty physicians in this field. Methods We conducted a web-based survey of academic faculty in ID. The survey was made available to the IDWeek2019 attendees and digitally via email and social media to the IDSA membership at large from 9/18/19 – 11/8/2019. The survey assessed demographic characteristics and barriers to faculty advancement and achievement, building on prior research. Survey themes included faculty promotion track, part-time work history and a suite of questions about workplace atmosphere and policies related to career advancement. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to evaluate the association between these factors and full professorship. Results Of 1,036 respondents, 790 were retained in the final dataset [Men: 322 (40.7%), Women: 458 (58.0%), Other: 10 (1.3%)]. 352 respondents were Instructors or Assistant Professors (38.5%), 198 were Associate Professors (25.1%) and 240 were Full Professors (30.4%). Fewer women reported that their promotion process was transparent (57.4% v. 67.6%, p=0.004) and more women Full Professors felt they had been “sponsored” compared to men at their same rank (73.3% v. 53.6%, p=0.002). In regression analyses (Table 1), gender, publications and clinical trial leadership were significantly associated with full professor rank and promotion transparency and NIH grants emerged as possible correlates of this outcome. Salary support, part-time work, women in leadership, faculty promotion track and sponsorship were not associated with this outcome. Table 1. Results of Poisson regression analysis Conclusion Sponsorship and transparency of promotion criteria differed by gender and emerged as potentially important factors associated with full professorship in academic ID. Future policies to promote equity in advancement should address these issues. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti Patel ◽  
Kristen Meagher ◽  
Nassim El Achi ◽  
Abdulkarim Ekzayez ◽  
Richard Sullivan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It is estimated that over 40% of the half a million humanitarian workers who provide frontline care during emergencies, wars and disasters, are women. Women are at the forefront of improving health for conflict-affected populations through service delivery, education and capacity strengthening, advocacy and research. Women are also disproportionately affected by conflict and humanitarian emergencies. The growing evidence base demonstrating excess female morbidity and mortality reflects the necessity of evaluating the role of women in leadership driving health research, policy and programmatic interventions in conflict-related humanitarian contexts. Despite global commitments to improving gender equality, the issue of women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health has been given little or no attention. The aim of this paper focuses on three domains: importance, barriers and opportunities for women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health. Following thematic analysis of the material collected, we discuss the following themes: barriers of women’s leadership domain at societal level, and organisational level, which is subcategorized into culture and strategy. Building on the available opportunities and initiatives and on inspirational experiences of the limited number of women leaders in this field, recommendations for empowering and supporting women’s leadership in conflict health are presented. Methods A desk-based literature review of academic and grey sources was conducted followed by thematic analysis. Results There is very limited evidence on women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health. Some data shows that women have leadership skills that help to support more inclusive solutions which are incredibly important in this sector. However, deeply imbedded discrimination against women at the organisational, cultural, social, financial and political levels is exacerbated in conflict which makes it more challenging for women to progress in such settings. Conclusion Advocating for women leaders in conflict and health in the humanitarian sector, governmental bodies, academia and the global health community is crucial to increasing effective interventions that adequately address the complexity and diversity of humanitarian crises.


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