31/12/21

Q&A: My work is attracting more girls into STEM careers

University of Ghana students
University students laugh during a class lecture. Copyright: Dominic Chavez/World Bank, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Speed read

  • Childhood curiosity about how the sky changes colour helped make the top female physicist
  • Francisca Nneka Okeke motivates young girls to enrol in STEM programmes
  • Prevailing social structure stood unsuccessfully in her way to achieving her goals

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[LAGOS] Female scientists need to catch young girls early in the sciences and make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses attractive to them.

Francisca Nneka Okeke, a geomagnetic researcher who made history for being the first indigenous woman professor in physics in Eastern Nigeria, has been providing opportunities for girls and young women to become interested in STEM.

In 2013, Okeke became one of the five women in the world to receive the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards.

In an interview with SciDev.Net, Okeke highlights her journey as a leading geomagnetic researcher, her contribution in training young women and girls in STEM careers, and how she overcome challenges.

Tell us about your academic background and research.

I am a professor of physics. My areas of research interest include solid earth geophysics, atmospheric physics and climate variability.

“People confronted me with a series of questions. They would ask me: ‘Do you think you can make it on this seat.”

Francisca Nneka Okeke, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

My research over the past years has contributed to simplifying the understanding of complex atmospheric phenomena including issues such as how the orbital parameters of the earth, sun and moon affect the ionosphere — the part of the earth’s atmosphere in which the ionization of atmospheric gases results in transmission of radio waves.

I became a laureate of the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science because of my significant contributions to the understanding of the daily variation of ion current in the upper atmosphere, which may further our understanding of climate change. The award placed Nigeria on the world map of honours in science.

How did it all start for you as a female scientist?

As a little girl, I was fascinated by the sky. I was curious to know why the sky appears white at some times and at other times blue. Again, I wondered why aeroplanes could fly. I learned that physics could answer my questions. I told my father of my new decision of becoming a physicist, which he welcomed.

What has been your contribution so far for women in science?

It is important to acknowledge that science is the key to the growth and development of a nation. The very poor enrolment of women in the field of STEM is attributed to the past societal ideology of STEM being characterised as male domain courses rather than [in] the female domain.

For these reasons, I encouraged and sensitised many girls and women to read STEM courses and mentored many girl and young women in STEM. I have mounted workshops that benefited girls and women in science. I founded the Organisation for Women in Science for Development chapter of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Through the OWSD, I organise the teaching of science courses in rural areas and nearby girls’ secondary schools. This has made us attract more girls to register and read STEM courses in the university. I made efforts and enforced collaborative research work involving women scientists, which are now functional, both at national and international levels. I have written many articles that support and encourage the participation of women in STEM careers.

“My childhood curiosity is the key to my remarkable achievements and my passion for science.”

Francisca Nneka Okeke, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

I believe that women should be sponsored to participate in STEM workshops, conferences, seminars and exhibitions. Gender mainstreaming scientific activities must be encouraged.

What are your challenges as a leading female scientist in a male-dominated sector?

In my secondary school, I was looked upon as someone who was not normal when I registered for science courses. Some girls withdrew just for fear of being ridiculed. I did not let that stop me.

Then, as a young lecturer, I needed to travel outside to collaborate with other scientists. I got a research visit to the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. There was no grant and no fund attached to it. It was a big challenge. Many of my colleagues discouraged me but I took up the challenge, loaned money, added it to my meagre salary and travelled to South Africa. In South Africa, I learnt of a grant available, applied for it and got it. It was while in South Africa that I got the opportunity to become a fellow of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.

There were lots of challenges when I was elected as the first female dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences in 2008-2010. People confronted me with a series of questions. They would ask me: “Do you think you can make it on this seat”? Some people were expecting me to fail. Most attempts by women to be influential, effective and powerful were undermined because of the prevailing social structure.

What are your future dreams and aspirations?

My future dream and aspiration remain that the gender gap in STEM is abridged. Women should be encouraged to fully participate in the development of STEM, and take key positions in science matters in government as it will ensure the implementation of strategies for improving the participation of women in the development of science.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.