A report by Sreetama Bhadra (iDiv, Leipzig University), Gabriella Damasceno (iDiv, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Daniela Hoss (iDiv, Leipzig University), and Alexandra Weyrich (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research)
When we established the iDiv Female Scientists (iFS) initiative at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), our goal was straightforward: connect women in science and raise awareness about gender inequity in academia. Through this journey, we uncovered crucial insights into how workplace environments significantly impact gender equity efforts, which we want to share with the scientific community.
We developed the initiative from our own experiences and observations of the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). After discussing barriers that hold women back and exploring possible solutions, we realized that creating a network to connect women at our institute could empower female scientists. Running this initiative has helped us understand how critical the workplace environment is in fostering—or hindering—gender equity actions.
Supportive environments foster open discussions about gender inequities, enabling “bottom-up” approaches to thrive. In such settings, individuals, from different societal, cultural and economic backgrounds, are encouraged to address the issue and propose solutions, which can lead to impactful changes within organizations. In contrast, unsupportive environments may discourage such dialogues, restricting individual grassroots efforts . In these cases, “top-down” approaches, such as legislative policies or institutional actions, become vital for driving change. Policies and mandated actions that enforce gender equity initiatives are often crucial for making progress.
Drawing on our experiences, we recommend three actionable steps—Acknowledgment, Transparency, and Action—that stakeholders across the academic community can adopt:
Individuals: Researchers can recognize gender inequities and reflect on their own biases (Acknowledgment), contribute to collective awareness (Transparency), and actively support initiatives advancing equity (Action).
Institutions: Organizations can enhance Acknowledgment and Transparency by collecting and publishing data on gender biases, and promote Action like equitable allocation of opportunities and resources, along with strong measures against discrimination and harassment.
Policymakers: Governments can gather data on existing initiatives addressing gender inequity (Acknowledgment), establish inclusive agendas (Transparency), and enforce legislation mandating equitable practices in academic and research institutions (Action).
Achieving gender equity in academia is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between individuals, institutions, and policymakers. Just as crucial are the supporters—men in leadership positions, scientific societies, journals, and social media platforms—whose active involvement can challenge systemic barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive lasting, structural change. By nurturing supportive environments and implementing targeted actions, we can build a more inclusive and equitable academic landscape.
Original publication
(Researchers with iDiv affiliation and alumni bolded)
Sreetama Bhadra, Gabriella Damasceno, Daniela Hoss, Alexandra Weyrich Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Improving gender equity in academia depends on the workplace environment. eLife. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.105352
Contact
Dr Sreetama Bhadra
sDiv Synthesis Centre / Evolution and Adaptation
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Leipzig University
Email: sreetama.bhadra@idiv.de
Gabriella Damasceno
sPlot Coordinator
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Email: gabriella.damasceno@idiv.de
Dr Daniela Hoss
sDiv Synthesis Centre / Evolution and Adaptation
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Leipzig University
Email: daniela.hoss@idiv.de
Dr Alexandra Weyrich
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Alumna of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Email: weyrich@izw-berlin.de