Women working in cancer research in Australia report experiencing high levels of gender discrimination, potentially leading to a significant exodus of cancer research talent, a new report has found.
The national study from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) and global biopharmaceutical company AMGEN found that a combination of sexism, ageism, unfair pay, and a shortage of flexible, long-term funding is driving female scientists out of cancer research.
Just over half of the surveyed researchers said they could see themselves working in the field in a decade’s time, which could result in the country losing over 40 per cent of its cancer research potential due to systemic barriers.
A third of female researchers said they felt a lack of female research leaders to guide them.
“There is a shortage of role models in senior research positions, especially those who have managed to balanced career and motherhood,” the report noted.
This is despite 65 per cent of respondents saying they aspired to be in senior leadership roles.
“The desire is there but the path is unclear and the opportunities rare,” the report said, adding “longer-term, flexible funding is required for female researcher success.”
An overwhelming majority of respondents said that funding dedicated to women in cancer research is ‘important’, ‘very important’, or ‘critical’.
“Funding is always the deal breaker for all scientists, especially women with carer responsibilities,” one researcher shared in the report. “It’s impossible to continue your academic contributions and career if you step away from work, even for parental leave.”
One respondent admitted she didn’t tell people she was a parent for fear of not being taken seriously, while another revealed that since returning from maternity leave, she felt she had to work twice as hard as male counterparts to prove she is committed to her role.
Kerry Strydom, CEO at ACRF said that the results certainly reinforced the value of grant opportunities, specifically for women in ACRF-funded projects.
“The survey is the start, guiding the topics most useful to cover in future webinars,” she told Women’s Agenda. “We anticipate that our partnership efforts will improve the representation of women in Australian cancer research – because we need every brilliant mind working on better solutions for cancer.”
Professor Kaylene Simpson, Head, Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, said that she is fortunate to work at a centre where women are supported.
“I hope many more organisations examine their initiatives and continue to improve. It’s for the benefit of all research,” she said. “The ACRF survey of women in cancer research asked those currently in the field what barriers they face. Unfortunately, 33 per cent feel there are not enough positive role models or female mentors.”
Professor Simpson will be participating in an Empowering Women in Cancer Research Webinar Series on July 2 at 11am to help other women navigate ways to advance their careers.
“I hope by sharing my insights during the first webinar hosted by ACRF that I can help some of them to see the path ahead more clearly,” she said.
The Empowering Women in Cancer Research Webinar Series is part of a range of initiatives launched by Amgen and ACRF as a result of the study. Other programs include an Annual Collaborative Funding Grant, which provides a research team with $100,000 per year for three years, and the Study Tour Grants to Amgen Headquarters in California, giving three preceptorships to female cancer researchers.
The initiatives were designed to courage and support female researchers in cancer research, and provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities tailored to the unique challenges they face.
Macquarie Medical School, Professor Helen Rizos said she is “very glad to hear that ACRF and Amgen have created a fellowship opportunity specific for women.”
“90 per cent of survey respondents agreed that dedicated funding for women in cancer research is essential to support their advancement and continued contribution to impactful scientific work,” she noted.
“Several outstanding women that I work with, and who are working on ACRF-funded projects, would be eligible to apply. I would love to see one of them supported through this initiative, enabling them to continue their important work and further their careers. Sustained funding is one of the most important enablers of research progress.”
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