At the interface - Strengthening research opportunities for women in the academy: Practical strategies to support research success

Lord, Linley; Hopkins, Margaret M.; O'Neil, Deborah A.; Marinelli, Melissa; Adapa, Sujana; Ross-Smith, Anne

We respond to the conference theme of "At the Interface" by exploring ways to work across and within boundaries to address women’s under representation in research leadership. The under utilization of women’s research talent and contribution we see as one of the challenges that must be faced by the academy as it seeks to shape and influence organisational, community, national and international debates. We draw from current research on women’s experiences in the academy, as well as the organizers’ experiences, to identify practical strategies for recognizing and increasing research opportunities for women. We briefly note some of the constraints women face in developing their academic careers, considering the tensions faced in working at the interface of teaching, research and service demands and expectations. We acknowledge the different forms research careers can take, their gendered nature and how these influence women’s identities as researchers. We canvas strategies that appear to be effective in opening up the spaces for creative and satisfying research activity for women.

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