The gender citation gap: Why and how it matters

What is it about?

This study discusses the gender citation gap in academia, which refers to the fact that women tend to receive fewer citations for their research than men. The author argues that this gap is not due to differences in research quality or gender-based bias in research evaluation, but rather to women's disadvantages in career progression. The article explores how the gender citation gap perpetuates unequal pay between genders in science and suggests ways to address this issue and promote gender equality in academia.

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Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The gender citation gap is an important issue because it affects the career progression and pay of academic women. Citations are often used as a measure of research productivity and impact, which are key factors in hiring, promotion, and funding decisions in academia. When women receive fewer citations than men, they may be at a disadvantage in these areas, which can limit their opportunities for career advancement and lead to lower pay. Addressing the gender citation gap is therefore crucial for promoting gender equality in science and ensuring that all researchers have equal opportunities to succeed.