Women's History Month: An Interview with Almesha Campbell

As we continue in our celebration of  Women’s History Month, Almesha L. Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at NAI Member Institution Jackson State University and AUTM Board Chair, discusses the importance of diverse perspectives in innovation and offers suggestions of how mentorship can help support women in the invention ecosystem.

Q: What is the importance of having diverse and unique perspectives in the innovation and invention ecosystem?
A: It is essential to have diverse and unique perspectives in the innovation and invention ecosystem because solutions to challenges must consider all approaches and perspectives if we want valuable and sustainable solutions. Innovation happens everywhere, and thus people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives must be engaged in an ecosystem where they are able to contribute and succeed.

Q: What suggestions do you have on how mentorship could help support attracting, engaging, and retaining women inventors in the innovation and invention ecosystem?
A: Mentors must offer the value of their knowledge and what they learn in their interactions with others and through their professional experiences. Mentors can help women new to the innovation and invention ecosystem navigate the ecosystem by being honest about the challenges and the rewards and helping them define their roles and chart their own course. When women enter the ecosystem and face barriers, mentors must help them recognize and leverage their available assets to navigate challenges better. New ecosystem members can benefit from the exposure to the mentor’s network; it also helps them stay, contribute, and thrive.

Dr. Campbell is also an Honorary Member of NAI, and we are very excited to have her on our Annual Meeting Program Committee in preparation for our 12th Annual Meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. June 25-27, 2023.

To read about Dr. Campbell’s work, visit: https://lnkd.in/e9cd5uYk