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. 2022 Jul 11;88(1):54.
doi: 10.5334/aogh.3728. eCollection 2022.

Evaluation of a Virtual Networking Event for Emerging Women Leaders in Global Health

Sloka Iyengar  1 , Joanna Ehrlich  2 , Eumihn Chung  3 , Agustina M Marconi  4 , Aliza R Karpes Matusevich  5 , Aisha Ahmed Abubakar  6 , Nukhba Zia  7 , Anna Kalbarczyk  3
Affiliations

Evaluation of a Virtual Networking Event for Emerging Women Leaders in Global Health

Sloka Iyengar et al. Ann Glob Health. .

Abstract

Background: Networks are critical for leadership development, but not all networks and networking activities are created equally. Women and people of color face unique challenges accessing networks, many of which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual platforms offer opportunities for global professionals to connect and can be better tailored to meet the needs of different groups. As part of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health annual meeting in 2021, we organized a networking session to provide a networking space for emerging women leaders in global health (i.e. trainees, early career professionals, and/or those transitioning to the field).

Objectives: We evaluated the virtual networking session to better understand participants' perception of the event and its utility for professional growth and development.

Methods: We distributed online surveys to participants immediately after the event and conducted a 3-month follow-up. Out of 225 participant, 24 responded to both surveys and their data was included in the analysis. We conducted descriptive quantitative analysis for multiple choice and Likert scale items; qualitative data was analyzed for themes.

Findings: Participants represented 8 countries and a range of organizations. Participants appreciated the structure of the networking session; all participants agreed that they met someone from a different country and most indicated they had plans to collaborate with a new connection. When asked if the event strengthened their network and if they will keep in touch with new people, most participants strongly agreed or agreed in both surveys. However, after the follow-up, participants noted challenges in sustaining connections including lack of follow-up and misaligned expectations of networks.

Conclusions: The virtual networking event brought together women in global health from diverse backgrounds. This study found that while networking events can be impactful in enhancing professional networks, ensuring sustained connections remains a challenge. This study also suggests that measures to increase the depth and meaningfulness of these connections in a virtual setting and enabling post-event collaboration can help networks become more inclusive and sustainable.

Keywords: Network; global health; virtual event; women’s leadership.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Bar plot of Likert scale responses at follow-up
Figure 1
Bar plot summary of Likert scale responses in the inital (A) and follow-up (B) surveys to the perceived of the networks.
Alluvial plot - The event strengthened my network
Figure 2
Alluvial plot “The event stregthened my network” during inital and follow-up surveys.
Alluvial plot - The connections I made were meaningful
Figure 3
Alluvial plot “The connections I made were meaningful” during initial and follow-up surveys.
Alluvial plot - I will keep in touch with the new people I met
Figure 4
Alluvial plot “I will keep in touch with the new people I met” during inital and follow-up surveys.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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