Gender gap among highly cited researchers, 2014–2021

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which women are represented among the world’s highly cited researchers (HCRs) and explores their representation over time and across fields, regions, and countries. The study identifies 11,842 HCRs in all fields and uses Gender-API, Genderize.Io, Namsor, and the web to identify their gender. Women’s share of HCRs grew from 13.1% in 2014 to 14.0% in 2021; however, the increase is slower than that of women’s representation among the general population of authors. The data show that women’s share of HCRs would need to increase by 100% in health and social sciences, 200% in agriculture, biology, earth, and environmental sciences, 300% in mathematics and physics, and 500% in chemistry, computer science, and engineering to close the gap with men. Women’s representation among all HCRs in North America, Europe, and Oceania ranges from 15% to 18%, compared to a world average of 13.7%. Among countries with the highest number of HCRs, the gender gap is least evident in Switzerland, Brazil, Norway, the UK, and the US and most noticable in Asian countries. The study reviews factors that can be seen to influence the gender gap among HCRs and makes recommendations for improvement. Peer Review https://publons.com/publon/10.1162/qss_a_00218

Five questions on improving diversity, equity and inclusion in UK bioscience research or “How can UK bioscience be changed so that those from marginalised groups can thrive?”

“…Peer review determines paper acceptance, proposal approval, grant allocation, job promotion, and numerous other decision-making processes in many aspects of research and innovation. Gender gaps exist in highly prestigious international research awards [ 27 ] and the extent to which they are cited [ 28 ]. Recent analysis of UKRI funding data [ 29 ] shows that minoritised groups are underrepresented as applicants, reviewers, panellists and awardees in funding schemes.…”