Women hold more than 40% of research positions in developed nations including the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Yet the majority of these positions are among early career faculty. Women hold fewer positions on editorial boards, lack equal representation in speaking engagements at conferences, and are less likely to publish or receive top tier grant funding. A global comprehensive report examining research in 12 countries and in 27 subject areas over 20 years highlights the gender gap across scientific disciplines. Reasons for these inequities range from unconscious bias, biased promotion systems, and traditional norms in the division of family life and labor in our society leading to the attrition of women in academia.

Addressing the problem of gender equity will provide an ethical basis to advance innovation. We call on academic institutions, professional societies and associations, and editorial boards relevant to epidemiology (as well as other academic disciplines more broadly) to take meaningful action to address gender inequities in research, teaching, policy and practice. Career development and mentoring programs, institutional support, and programs to address bias are some of the necessary steps required to achieve gender equity.

INEP PUBLICATIONS:

Gender Equity in Epidemiology: A Policy Brief (2019) was published in Annals of Epidemiology, the journal of the American College of Epidemiology (ACE). Lead authors, Melinda C. Aldrich (ACE), Anne E. Cust (AEA), and Camille Raynes-Greenow (AEA). Its predecessor is INEP Policy Brief Series: Gender Equity in Epidemiology, endorsed by ten member organizations.

RELATED PROJECTS:

Additional projects surrounding gender are currently under consideration, including Domestic Violence and gender as it relates to Climate Change and Ethics.