Gender differences in research collaborations and academic advancement among veterinary medical college faculty

To examine patterns of collaborative research behavior by gender among veterinary academic faculty to determine whether differences exist in how men and women access resources as a contributing factor to the advancement gap.

710 faculty from 23 veterinary medical colleges.

An online questionnaire was sent through listservs at participating institutions and data were collected anonymously. Responses related to professional demographics, resources, collaboration, and elements of environmental culture were analyzed to identify associations among variables. Proportional odds logistic regression was utilized to examine the effect of gender on academic rank.

Male and female faculty reported participating in collaborations at equal rates. Men were more likely to engage in research collaborations with other men. These collaborations were more common than collaborations between women or between women and men. Men had 47% higher odds of more advanced academic rank compared with women and controlling for relevant factors. While there was no difference in the value of startup packages listed by men and women, women were more likely to report gender as a disadvantage in accessing resources and opportunities.

Research productivity is a main factor driving academic promotion. To improve gender equity in career advancement and to support scholarship among all faculty, the creation of institutional development programs focused on facilitating collaborations and resource sharing may be a strategic area for veterinary academic leaders to consider.