Credit: National Cancer Institute/Unsplash
Credit: National Cancer Institute/Unsplash

Gender and ethnic inequalities in NZ science could be worsened by COVID-19

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Existing inequalities faced by Māori and Pasifika researchers, as well as women of other ethnic groups, could be exacerbated by COVID-19, according to a report by the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Early Career Researcher (ECR) Forum. The report found that Māori, Pasifika and female researchers are more likely to experience employment insecurity, and that the risk of losing research positions is particularly high for this group as a result of the pandemic. The authors warn that loss of researchers would have a long-term impact on the R&D potential of Aotearoa New Zealand, and they call for government, industry and universities to put safeguarding strategies in place.

Organisation/s: Royal Society Te Apārangi

Funder: No funding specified.

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