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Gender distribution in publishing in five leading optometry journals
Genis Cardona1, Aitor Herrera2
1Applied Optics and Image Processing Group (GOAPI), School of Optics and Optometry of Terrassa, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Terrassa, Spain.
Summary
Gender disparities persist in optometry journal authorship, with women underrepresented in senior roles. Awareness is key to achieving fairness in scientific research and optometry.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Optometry Research
- Scientific Publishing and Authorship Analysis
Background:
- Gender representation in scientific authorship is crucial for equity in research.
- Previous studies have highlighted gender disparities in various scientific fields.
- Optometry, a specialized field, requires examination of its authorship trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gender distribution of authors in leading optometry journals.
- To analyze citation metrics in relation to author gender.
- To assess gender representation in editorial leadership positions within these journals.
Main Methods:
- Scopus database was utilized to collect data from five optometry journals.
- Articles published in 2011 and 2021 were analyzed for author gender (first, last, single).
- Editorial board composition and editor-in-chief gender were examined in May 2023.
Main Results:
- Female representation as first authors increased from 40.1% (2011) to 48.0% (2021), and as last authors from 32.7% to 39.6%.
- Gender parity in authorship was limited, with only a few journals showing balance.
- Female representation in editorial leadership (editor-in-chief, editorial board) remained low.
Conclusions:
- Persistent gender disparities exist in optometry journal authorship, particularly in senior and leadership roles.
- Underrepresentation of females in editorial positions indicates a need for systemic change.
- Raising awareness of gender disparity is essential for promoting fairness in optometry and scientific research.
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