Science for Society: Women’s voices at the Intersection of Innovation and Inclusion

Panel Session Hosted at the Science Forum South Africa 2025

As part of the National Research Foundation’s participation at the 2025 Science Forum South Africa, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), in partnership with the NRF, hosted the session Science for Society: Women’s voices at the Intersection of Innovation and Inclusion on 26 November 2025.

Women continue to drive innovation that responds to societal needs, yet their contributions remain underrepresented within science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystems. This session foregrounded the insights and experiences of women researchers, innovators, and leaders whose work advances both inclusion and societal impact.

The discussion explored the ways in which women shape solutions to address pressing societal challenges—from health and education to climate resilience and digital transformation—while simultaneously navigating and dismantling barriers to full participation. By sharing lessons learned, lived experiences, and policy recommendations, panellists highlighted strategies for the creation of enabling environments where women’s leadership and innovation can thrive. The dialogue aimed to strengthen the role of women in shaping inclusive STI pathways that leave no one behind.

The panel was facilitated by Dr Thokozile Lewanika of DML45 Consulting Ltd, who said, “Individual wins for women in science are not enough; the real progress lies in scaling those successes across the entire system.”

The session featured four distinguished women leaders whose perspectives underscored the need for transformative change:

Dr Katie Bryant, KLB Consulting: “Our research systems were never built for us—and until we dismantle those foundations, true inclusion will remain impossible.”
Dr Thandi Mgwebi, NRF: “Inclusion is not an outcome; it’s a deliberate action that must be built into the very architecture of our scientific system.”
Dr Xolelwa Zulu, FALF: “If women’s full humanity is not reflected in our scientific culture, then it is the culture—not the women—that must change.”
Dr Nokukhanya Thembane, MUT: “It is not enough to encourage women to ‘believe’ they can be innovators; we must provide capacitation.”

This powerful dialogue reaffirmed the essential role of women’s voices in shaping a more innovative, equitable, and inclusive STI landscape for society.