Beyond the glass lab: science’s gender gap in Academia

RAICEX compiles and compares the conditions of female researchers in science and academia in 14 countries

Within the Research and Gender commission of the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad (RAICEX), MJ Martinez-Bravo has conducted a comparative study on gender inequality in academia across 14 countries, “White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia” (Book published on 14th February 2025 – ISBN: 978-84-9961-470-0) where MJ is the author for the United Kingdom chapter.

Globally, the number of women pursuing STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and working in R&D has increased, together with the implementation of new gender policies in the academic environment. However, in most countries, glass ceilings persist for women aspiring to high-ranking academic positions, as well as implicit biases in hiring female scientists, among other issues. In some cases, these policies risk becoming mere declarations of intent without generating real changes.

These are some of the conclusions of the “White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia,” prepared by the Research and Gender Commission (IgR) of the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad (RAICEX) with the support of the Ramón Areces Foundation.

The objective of the White Paper, which is available in both paper and digital format is to: (1) explore the situation of female researchers in different countries taking into account their socio-cultural and economic context, (2) compile the actions that have taken place in these countries, and (3) compare their effectiveness to identify those initiatives that are truly effective in fostering more inclusive environments. To this end, the situation of women in science and academia in 14 countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania has been compared.

This international analysis highlights some similarities and differences between the countries, which can be summarized as follows:

Despite the high levels of equality presented by the European countries studied (Belgium, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland), the scissor chart in academia perpetuates in all of them and barely shows improvements compared to five years ago. The scissor chart is equally pronounced in the non-European countries studied (Australia, United Arab Emirates, United States, Japan, Mexico).

Gender inequalities are mainly found in high-ranking or managerial positions across all areas of knowledge. Although this problem is more acute in STEM from early stages of training. Only Australia shows a percentage above 50% of women working in science and academia, although more than half of the countries analyzed have an overall percentage above 35%.

Only three countries, out of the 14 analyzed, have laws explicitly aimed at promoting gender equality in science.

Aware of the seriousness of the problem, all the governments of the referenced countries include science, research, and innovation in national equality plans.

All the studied countries have designed gender equality plans at the national, regional, and/or university level. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives in most cases remains to be evaluated.

Most countries have specific aids for women, with special emphasis on the decriminalization of motherhood and reconciliation during the academic career.

France, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Australia have developed gender equality accreditation systems in science and academia, which require institutions to undergo specific evaluations to obtain a distinctive seal. This seal allows access to certain funding or other benefits.

Despite the diversity of initiatives collected in this White Paper, there is a lack of exhaustive and transversal reports from authorities that assess their effectiveness in the scientific field.

Many of the improvements observed in the countries studied have been promoted by civil scientific societies.

We hope that in the future we can incorporate more countries into the study, as well as reflect improvements in a field with such marked gender inequality as science.

During the presentation of this “White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia,” the methodology used, data and results, and conclusions will not only be presented, but also this content will be highlighted during a Colloquium with the coordinators and several authors of the White Paper and other invited experts who will enrich the conversation.

For more information about the White Paper or to schedule an interview with the Research and IgR, you can contact them at igr@raicex.org.

About RAICEX

The Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad (RAICEX) is an organization that brings together more than 4,500 Spanish researchers and scientists living outside Spain. Founded in 2018, RAICEX is currently made up of 22 independent associations spanning five continents, forming a “network of networks” that connects the Spanish scientific diaspora with public and private institutions worldwide.

Its distinctive feature is that it was created by the scientific community itself, encouraging multilateral collaboration and serving as a spokesperson to share the expertise and knowledge gained by its members on a global scale. RAICEX fosters representation of its community beyond Spanish borders, acting as a bridge between Spanish scientific talent abroad and institutions in Spain, with the aim of strengthening the national scientific system and research careers.

Throughout its history, RAICEX has launched initiatives such as the #SinCienciaNoHayFuturo (#WithoutScienceThereIsNoFuture) campaign and contributed to key reports, including the 2022 ATRAE report, which highlights the need for structural improvements in Spanish science to position the country among the world’s leading research powers. Thanks to this commitment, RAICEX remains a prominent figure in building bridges between Spanish scientific knowledge and the rest of the world.

• RAICEX White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia
• ‘Behind the Glass Lab’ Opinion Piece
• mj.martinezbravo@ucl.ac.uk
• Dr MJ Martinez Bravo LinkedIn