A new study from Syracuse University shines light on gender imbalance in academic publishing, demonstrating that women are still severely under-represented in editorial and authorship responsibilities in top management science journals. The Leadership Quarterly published the study, which presents a comprehensive dataset tracking gender diversity in top-tier management journals over the last three decades, highlighting the importance of efforts to promote parity in the field.

Assistant Professor of Accounting Sebastian Tideman-Frappart, in collaboration with academics from Kühne Logistics University, the University of St. Gallen, and the University of Exeter, directs the study, which provides a comprehensive analysis of gender representation in academic writing. The researchers discovered persisting gender gaps in the profession after analyzing data from 21,510 writers and 4,173 leaders in 11 renowned management publications over a 32-year period (1990–2022).

Women held only 24% of editorial positions, with only 32 of 135 editor jobs filled by female professionals. This under-representation extended to associate editor positions, editorial board memberships, and authorship positions, demonstrating systematic disparities at all levels of academic publishing. Furthermore, the presence of a female editor-in-chief did not result in significant increases in female representation in other editorial or authoring jobs, demonstrating the absence of a "trickle-down" impact.

While there has been some growth in gender diversity, the study argues that these developments are more reflective of broader societal advancements than purposeful actions inside the field. This highlights the importance of focused efforts to remove the structural barriers that women experience while pursuing leadership roles in academic publication.

 "There has been progress, but it's been slow, and there's still a long way to go," Tideman-Frappar said, emphasizing the ongoing challenges that women face in academia.  The researchers observed structural barriers to women's advancement in editorial and leadership posts, including network effects and invisible biases.

To address the ongoing gender gaps in academic publishing, the authors propose a multidimensional approach that promotes equity and inclusion. A fundamental proposal is that journals set clear and public standards for female representation in leadership posts, ensuring verifiable progress over time. Along with setting representation goals, editors and publishers are encouraged to actively combat biases and promote a more inclusive atmosphere, allowing aspiring female editors to thrive in leadership roles.

Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of focused mentorship and professional development opportunities for women in the early and mid-career phases.  By providing the required training and support, these programs can better prepare women for editorial and leadership positions in academic publishing.

All of these indicators rely on a data-driven approach. Tideman-Frappart emphasized the accessibility of their research, saying, "Our data is open, so anyone can use it."  We definitely see our study as a conversation starter." By using statistics to drive decisions and track progress, the academic community may make significant strides toward closing the gender gap in publication.

The findings serve as a critical reminder to the academic community, particularly in the field of management science. It emphasizes the importance of systematic efforts to promote equality for women in a field that is still primarily male-dominated.  The authors anticipate that their study will serve as a standard for journals to monitor progress and support ongoing efforts toward gender equity.

The study's findings are consistent with global discussions regarding women's under-representation in leadership positions throughout academia and other professional fields. The researchers hope to catalyse change in academic publishing by pushing for tangible initiatives, including establishing transparency standards and encouraging aspiring female leaders.

This report not only shows the ongoing issues, but it also provides a road map for change, encouraging journals and publishers to take active steps to close the gender gap. Tideman-Frappart phrased it: "If you want to have fair representation of women in the discipline sooner rather than later, it looks like we need intervention to get there."

By releasing an open-access dataset and practical findings, the researchers have provided the framework for a larger discussion about gender parity in academic publishing. This project is a significant step towards tackling the systemic constraints that continue to hamper progress towards equitable representation in management science and beyond.