Research project

Career aspirations of male and female students studying Science Technology Engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in a Ghanaian University

The key research objective is to investigate the underlying factors influencing career choices for males and females in science-oriented disciplines as well as their interrelationship with social and gender norms in Ghana. 


The study focuses on students taking STEM courses at the University of Ghana. The specific research objectives pursued includes:

  • The career aspirations of both females and males and whether there are differences between the two sexes;
  • The social, cultural, economic and political factors influencing female choices of science- oriented disciplines and whether these factors are different from that of males;
  • The performance level of females in science-related disciplines as compared to males and whether academic performance influences their career choices.

A total of 251 students (53 percent males and 47 percent females - from the departments of Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences and Computer Science) responded to the questionnaire. A few in-depth interviews were also conducted.

Results of the study

Gender differences in academic performance of students studying Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at the University of Ghana    

Career aspirations and influencing factors among male and female students studying Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in Ghana   
 

Researchers

PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE WRIGLEY-ASANTE

Human Geography, Gender, and Development, University of Ghana.

see CV

Professor Charlotte Wrigley-Asante is a human geographer and a specialist in gender and development. She is an expert in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

She has been involved in several projects about gender, poverty, and empowerment in Ghana. She is currently the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) at University of Ghana.

Charles Godfred Ackah

Development Economist, University of Ghana.

Dr. Charles Ackah is a development economist interested in the socio-economic and gender impacts of government policies, including economic and industrial policies, labor market and financial market reform, business development, gender equality, and issues of female empowerment.

And is the outgoing Director of the Centre for Social Policy Studies at the University of Ghana.