Proceedings of the 6th Biennial Conference of Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World Nigeria (OWSD 2023)

Diversity in Research: a catalyst to innovation in science education

Authors
Gertie H. P. Arts1, 7, *, Chioma Blaise Chikere2, 7, 8, Okafor Chidinma Peace3, 7, Eka B. Essien4, 7, Udeme Georgewill5, 7, Laura Nwogu-Chigozie6, 7, Elizabeth Amadi Ihuoma2, 7
1Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
2Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
3Department of Microbiology, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
4Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
5Department of Pharmacology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
6The Africa Center of Excellence in Centre for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
7Department Political and Administrative Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
8Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Science Campus, Roodepoort, South Africa
*Corresponding author. Email: gertie.arts@wur.nl
Corresponding Author
Gertie H. P. Arts
Available Online 18 December 2023.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-306-1_4How to use a DOI?
Keywords
diversity; equity; inclusion; research; science education
Abstract

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the basis for this agenda. This agenda clearly shows that global partnerships are needed to solve world-wide problems. Besides, solving these problems should be approached in a holistic way, as improving health and education, reducing inequality, stimulating economic growth, tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity must go hand-in-hand. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals show us where to go. Adopting these goals means finding ways how to reach these goals. Diversity in Research and Education is narrowly lined to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality education), Goal 5 (Achieve Gender Equality and empower all women and girls), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and Goal 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development). These SDGs are closely interrelated as e.g. closing gender gaps is necessary to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education. As the past has shown us, gender and other inequalities do not fix themselves, and have even deepened due to the Covid pandemics. There is a need for a complete cultural change, systematic and coordinated actions, education and strong political commitment by all actors involved. Gender equality is not only a matter of concern for women; it must matter to all of us. We need all talents. Mixed, non-homogenous teams, with a good representation of a broad range of competences and background are more productive, more innovative, smarter and more collaboration-oriented. Such collaborations enhance the quality of our teaching and research, better contribute to social needs and help in the development of new business. For this reason, an action plan for gender balance and enhancement of cultural and other diversities is needed. Ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in organisations, networks, consortia, collaborations and global science projects and programs is critically important to improve diversity in research and in science education. These latter two go hand-in-hand.

Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 6th Biennial Conference of Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World Nigeria (OWSD 2023)
Series
Advances in Biological Sciences Research
Publication Date
18 December 2023
ISBN
10.2991/978-94-6463-306-1_4
ISSN
2468-5747
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-306-1_4How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Gertie H. P. Arts
AU  - Chioma Blaise Chikere
AU  - Okafor Chidinma Peace
AU  - Eka B. Essien
AU  - Udeme Georgewill
AU  - Laura Nwogu-Chigozie
AU  - Elizabeth Amadi Ihuoma
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/12/18
TI  - Diversity in Research: a catalyst to innovation in science education
BT  - Proceedings of the 6th Biennial Conference of Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World Nigeria (OWSD 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 49
EP  - 68
SN  - 2468-5747
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-306-1_4
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-306-1_4
ID  - Arts2023
ER  -