Shared values in the R-Ladies community: Toward building an alternative leadership model to the patriarchal system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.25.35.2.1.2474Keywords:
gender diversity, underrepresented genders, collaborative networks, experiences, listening skills, support, respect, inclusion, gender perspective, applied ecologyAbstract
There is still a significant gender gap in all areas of knowledge, including ecology. Although nowadays there are more leadership opportunities for underrepresented genders than before, we believe that the way in which these opportunities are given, linked to masculinized and verticalist contexts centered on productivity and power, forces individuals to either abandon these roles or, alternatively, to reproduce the same dynamics, which entails high personal costs. For this reason, we urgently need to create more leadership opportunities and alternatives to the patriarchal leadership model, so that underrepresented genders can develop their skills, share knowledge and become drivers of change in fostering a creative, thoughtful and inclusive academic-scientific environment. Thus, it is crucial to value the experiences and lessons learned from spaces aimed at creating respectful and equitable environments for growth. R-ladies is a global collaborative network that seeks to promote gender diversity in programming within the open-source software R, encouraging and supporting women and underrepresented genders (trans/cis women, trans men, no binary, etc.) to reach their full programming potential. We conducted a survey in our community to gather insights into values, experiences and strategies for building new leadership models. We identified the following core values for an alternative leadership model: 1) the ability to listen, empathize and value each team member, regardless of their position or career trajectory; 2) the ability to support, motivate, and encourage others to achieve their proposed goals, and 3) the ability to lead with respect, inclusion and diversity. We believe that those in leadership roles should receive training in gender perspective and ensure fair recognition and compensation for everyone’s contributions. Networks that foster the participation of underrepresented genders, such as R-Ladies, offer a community and promote a safe and respectful space for learning.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Gimena Vilardo, Paula Fergnani, M. Laura Suarez, Claudia A. Huaylla, Débora L. Moreno Azocar, Sofía Ruiz-Suarez
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