Female Academics' Career Progression and Motivation during COVID-19: An African Perspective

The experiences of female academics are worth exploring as a key area of interest for academics and higher education institutions (HEIs) globally. The current COVID-19 pandemic has seen rapid changes to the way academics work and balance work and life amidst the challenges and changing environment. This chapter focuses on the experiences specifically in African HEIs. The chapter explores African female perceptions about career progression, workload, and motivation since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic and provides a snapshot of data in the African HEI context. Policymakers and HEI leaders may consider data in their own context in future adaptations and opportunities to continue integrating and supporting the female academic workforce. The research is informed by a larger study of female academics’ experiences and highlights the gender gaps, disparities, biases, and hardships experienced where females have been uniquely impacted. It is critical that HEIs consider ways to support female academics as key, positive contributors to the academic workforce.