Career in Science: Aspirations, Achievement and Advancement
Strategic Intent
This survey is a part of background research for DST supported pilot GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions). It is designed to explore the factors that underpin a successful career in science. It seeks to understand aspirations and experiences of academics, scientists and researchers in diverse institutions. Responses are sought from the academic community starting from Ph.D. scholars to senior faculty and leadership, in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) disciplines.

All genders are encouraged to respond. Individual perspective is of great importance. Responses from this survey will be used only for research purpose. The survey administrators are committed to protecting anonymity and ensuring confidentiality of your responses.

Instructions
  • Please read the questions carefully.
  • It is required to give the response to all questions marked by Asterisk *
  • It is essential to provide demographic data unless indicated as optional.
Reference
Mapping the Gender Landscape: GATI Survey Toolkit
Dr. Pratibha Jolly, PI GATI Framework Development, Academic Consultant NAAC
Ms. Priyanka Nupur, Research Associate, GATI Framework
Ms. Roja Rawal, Research Assistant, GATI Framework

Contact
gati.naac@gmail.com

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Email *
1. Revisiting Factors Influencing Career Choice

1.1  Attraction for Science and Technology

Indicate the extent to which the following factors have influenced your interest in science and technology in the initial years. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Interest in science from early years
2. Sense of joy and fulfillment in doing science
3. Regard for science and scientists in society
4. Attraction for S&T and innovation
5. Prospect of working on challenging global problems

1.2  Sphere of Influence and Guidance

Indicate the extent to which your academic and social circle have influenced your decision to pursue a career in science and technology. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Teachers
2. Family, Relatives
3. Friends, Peers
4. Scientists, Leaders, Role Models
5. Advisor, Mentor, Coach, Counsellor

1.3  Early Exposure

Indicate the extent to which the academic experiences along the dimensions listed below have influenced your decision to pursue a career in science and technology. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Participation in science fairs, exhibitions, competitions, hackathons, etc.
2. Early opportunity to work in research institutions
3. Early opportunity to present posters, papers, projects
4. Field trips, excursions, visits to science museums, S&T related organizations
5. Participation in science camps, training and coaching programmes

1.4  Interests, Skills, Aptitudes, Performance

Indicate the extent to which your interest and competencies along the dimensions listed below have influenced your decision to pursue a career in science and technology. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Classroom teaching
2. Good academic performance
3. Expectation that top-ranking students choose science
4. Working with hands, experiments, laboratory work
5. Tinkering with devices and gizmos, electronics
6. Digital technologies, software, coding
7. Logical thinking, process of science
8. Mathematics, statistics, data
9. Problem solving, design thinking
10. Collaborating, networking, group work

1.5 Career Aspirations and Opportunities

Indicate the extent to which the following enablers have sustained your decision to pursue a career in science and technology. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Awareness about career pathways/ opportunities through career counselling
2. Desire to remain in academia and (or) research
3. Prestige associated with science careers
4. Availability of scholarships and fellowships
5. Possibility of studying/working abroad
6. Desire to study and work in top S&T Institutions
7. Scope for setting up independent research programmes
8. Prospect of working on the frontiers of knowledge and research
9. Building capacity for establishing novel career paths/ entrepreneurial ventures
10. Desire for fame and recognition
2. Building a STEMM Career

2.1 Skills and Competencies

Indicate the extent to which the following competencies and factors have contributed to building your career in STEMM domain. Choose as applicable.

 *
Can't say
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Domain Knowledge
2. Problem-solving skills
3. Research capability
4. Interdisciplinary knowledge
5. Educational background, degrees, etc.
6. Capacity to work hard
7. Communication and presentation skills
8. Willingness to relocate for work
9. Grant writing skills
10. Financial management skills
11. Working in collaborative teams
12. Inter-personal and networking skills
13. Scientific writing skills
14. General awareness and lateral thinking
15. Extramural and outreach activities

2.2 Support Structures and Networks

Indicate the extent to which the following factors have contributed to building your career in STEMM domain. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Award of scholarships/fellowships
2. Affirmative action policies
3. Collaborations and peer networks
4. Recommendations from supervisors/ experts
5. Quality of conference presentation
6. Quality of research publication
7. Research grants
8. Recognition of work and awards
9. Institutional support for work-life balance
10. Family support structures

2.3 Finding a Foothold

Indicate the extent to which the following factors have contributed to building your recruitment in a regular job in STEMM domain. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Clarity on academic and professional goals
2. Complete match of expertise with advertised job requirements
3. Willingness to explore inter-disciplinary opportunities and change streams
4. Capacity to manage personal and professional commitments
5. Multi-faceted abilities in addition to academic competencies
6. Resilience despite negative experiences or outcomes
7. Performance in the selection process presentations and interactions
8. Academic background, affiliations to institutions and research groups
9. Academic competencies, publications, patents, research grants, conference presentations
10. Reputation of research advisor/ research group/ referees giving recommendation

2.4 Experience at Key Transition Points

Indicate the extent of your satisfaction on the overall experience during the following key transition points/milestone events in your career. Choose as applicable.

 *
Not Applicable
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Recruitment interview(s)
2. Development review(s) and appraisal
3. Promotion interview(s)
4. Institutional induction and seed grants
5. Independent research grants
6. Collaborations beyond the institution
7. Organization of conferences, etc.
8. Publications and patents
9. Due credit in collaborative work
10. Serving on decision-making committees
11. Nomination and selection for awards
12. Membership of national academies and apex professional bodies
13. Serving on editorial boards
14. Visibility in scientific community
15. Selection for leadership roles
3. Managing Career Breaks


Individuals who have obtained the highest qualification making them eligible for regular jobs are often unable to participate in the workforce and drop out of the academic pipeline at various stages. This is sometimes due to personal reasons as social expectations and roles shift focus to marriage and family in preference to establishing a career. Several other reasons also prevail. This section is applicable to those who have returned to the mainstream after career breaks or have experienced interruptions due to personal reasons. In particular, females need to manage career breaks due to maternity and childcare while in job.

3.1 Reasons for Career Break

Indicate the factors that led to an interruption or break in your career, if any, after obtaining the highest degree. Choose as applicable.
 *
Not applicable
Applicable
1. Exploring other options or applying for jobs
2. Time-off for personal interests
3. Time between degrees/ assignments/ jobs
4. Preparing for competitive exams
5. Marriage
6. Relocation due to marriage/spouse’s work
7. Childbirth
8. Child care
9. Family care
10. Health condition (illness, accidents, etc.)
3.2 Re-establsihing Career after Break

Indicate the extent to which the listed factors have been helpful in facilitating your return to academic and professional work after prolonged career break. Choose as applicable.
 *
Not applicable
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Leveraging schemes for women returning from career break
2. Leveraging mobility schemes for women who have relocated
3. Support from family/ spouse
4. Hiring reliable help/ caregiver
5. Continuing non-formal engagement with academic institution(s) during break period
6. Continuing participation in conferences, seminars, etc.
7. Actively publishing previous/ ongoing research
8. Proactively exploring job opportunities and applying
9. Skill upgradation through training/ certification
10. Family friendly facilities in the institution and empathetic workplace
3.3  Mitigating Impact of Interruptions/Personal Leave

Indicate the extent to which the following factors/actions impacted (negatively or positively) your career during or after an interruption/leave of absence for personal reasons such as maternity, childcare, caring responsibilities, and other health or family concerns. Choose as applicable.
 *
Not applicable
Not at all
Limited extent
Moderate extent
Great extent
Fullest extent
1. Personal support structures for family and self
2. Hiring reliable and stable help/ caregiver
3. Continued non-formal or part-time engagement with the institution during the period of leave
4. Continued participation in capacity building events, conferences, seminars, etc.
5. Actively publishing research
6. Continued supervision/ association with research groups
7. Skill upgradation through training/ certification
8. Negotiated flexibility in work on returning from break
9. Supportive institutional policies for work-life balance
10. Gender responsive institutional infrastructure for infant/ child care
4. Contact Details and Demographics
  • Provide details as indicated.
  • Where given choices, please choose as applicable.
1. Name
2. Mobile
3. Name and Address of the Institution *
4. Category of your Institution. Choose as applicable. *
5. Type of Institution. Choose as applicable. *
6. Disciplinary Stream. Choose as applicable. *
7. Highest Qualification. Choose as applicable. *
8. Category of Respondent. Choose as applicable. *
9. Nature of Employment/Association. Choose as applicable. *
10. Gender. Choose as applicable. *
11. Age Group (in years). Choose as applicable. *
12. Socio-Economic Category. Choose as applicable.
13. Marital Status. Choose as applicable. *
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