OP-02 Motivations and barriers to the pursuit of academic careers in optometry and vision science among optometry students in Ghana [Abstract]

Amega, Dillys, Adator, Emmanuel, Essel-Amoah, Kojo, Edziah, Solomon, Ayandoh, Clara, Rountree, Lindsay, Morny, Enyam and Terry, Louise ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6200-8230 2026. OP-02 Motivations and barriers to the pursuit of academic careers in optometry and vision science among optometry students in Ghana [Abstract]. BMJ Open Ophthalmology 11 (S3) 10.1136/bmjophth-2026-wvuk.2

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Abstract

Background Women remain underrepresented in senior academic positions globally, with greater underrepresentation with advancing career stage. This study explored motivations and barriers influencing academic career choices in optometry, with particular focus on gender disparities. Methods Undergraduate optometry students in 4th-6th year, (n=199, 53.8% female, 19- 39 years), from two optometry institutions in Ghana participated. Participants were grouped by gender, with 9–11 students per group. Using the Nominal Group Technique, each student listed motivations and barriers to pursuing an academic career. Responses were discussed and collated within each group. Groups then voted to prioritise items, identifying those perceived as (1) most common, and (2) most critical. The top five motivations and barriers from each group were compiled into a list for final voting, producing the most common and most critical per gender. Results Themes included: academic, financial, social, and personal. Themes were similar between genders, but varied in the degree to which they were perceived as critical. Common motivations included a passion for academia, good income, and prestige. Only male students cited self-improvement and the opportunity to contribute to training the next generation as critical. Both genders identified long programme duration and financial constraints while training as barriers. Female students emphasised difficulties combining academia with marriage and family as critical.. Conclusion The study reflected both shared and gender-specific concerns. Initiatives to address the underrepresentation of women in academia should consider these concerns, to enable more accessible uptake of academic careers across the genders.

Item Type:	Short Communication
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Optometry and Vision Sciences
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2026 10:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190370

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