Neurology faculty gender gap confirmed, but explanations remain scant
FROM JAMA NEUROLOGY
For example, the authors note that there are a variety of explanations for the gender gap in both rank and publication, including asymmetric home or childcare responsibilities, cultural stereotypes, professional isolation, and different career motivations, though the study was not able to account for those variables.
“Compared with men, women may be more likely to be recruited for employment positions that emphasize teaching and mentoring rather than research, or women may be more inclined to choose such positions,” the authors noted, adding that academic institutions are moving beyond traditional measures of academic productivity (publication rate, publication impact, and grant support) to recognize other factors, such as the quality and quantity of teaching, the development of educational resources, and administrative effectiveness.
If the numbers reflect persistent barriers to women, “it will be important to develop programs to heighten awareness of diversity in academic neurology,” the authors stated. On the flip side, if the numbers reflect a system that is supporting different goals, “academic neurology departments should be encouraged to foster a variety of career paths and expectations for all faculty.”
The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Jerry Isler Neuromuscular Fund.
SOURCE: McDermott M et al. JAMA Neurol. 2018 Apr 2. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.0275.
