Gendered struggles in forest governance research

Despite increased female representation, forest research remains a male-dominated field, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores the lived experiences of 20 African forest scholars, with a focus on the gendered challenges faced by women. Interviews reveal that female researchers often struggle to balance societal expectations of caregiving with the demands of academic productivity and international mobility. While some women benefit from supportive partners and privileged backgrounds, many face marginalization in both domestic and professional spheres. In contrast, male scholars often overlook these struggles, framing family responsibilities as manageable or irrelevant to their careers. Women also report being dismissed or undervalued in male-dominated academic and fieldwork settings. Despite institutional gender policies, these gendered dynamics remain deeply embedded and frequently invisible. The study calls for a rethinking of academic norms, especially those emphasizing mobility and output, as well as urges more awareness of the socio-cultural barriers women face. To advance equity, future research should further examine how gender and local contexts shape participation in forest science.