COVID-19 and gender inequity in science: Consistent harm over time

Area of Science:

• Academic science
• Gender studies
• Sociology of science

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread adoption of remote work and online learning.
• Pre-existing gender disparities in the workplace were amplified by pandemic-related policies.
• Women faced increased family care and domestic responsibilities, impacting their professional lives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the persistence of gender inequity among academic scientists due to university COVID-19 responses.
• To analyze the long-term impact of pandemic policies on women in academia.
• To assess the disproportionate effects on women in STEM fields.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study using two surveys administered in May 2020 and May 2021.
• Data collected from university-based biologists, biochemists, and civil and environmental engineers.
• Analysis focused on research activities, teaching, family care, and work-life balance.

Main Results:

• Women reported significantly greater negative impacts on research activities compared to men.
• Women experienced a more pronounced decline in work-life balance.
• The pandemic response amplified existing gender disparities in academic science.

Conclusions:

• University COVID-19 policies have had a disproportionate and lasting negative impact on women academic scientists.
• There is a critical need for academic institutions to address and mitigate pandemic-induced gender inequities.
• Proactive strategies are required to predict and adjust for policy-driven gender disparities in the future.