Limited progress in improving gender and geographic representation in coral reef science
Ahmadia, Gabby N., Cheng, Samantha H., Andradi-Brown, Dominic A., Baez, Stacy K., Barnes, Megan D., Bennett, Nathan J., Campbell, Stuart J., Darling, Emily S., Estradivari, Emily S., Gill, David, Gress, Erika, Gurney, Georgina G., Horigue, Vera, Jakub, Raymond, Kennedy, Emma V., Mahajan, Shauna L., Mangubhai, Sangeeta, Matsuda, Shayle B., Muthiga, Nyawira A., Navarro, Michael O., Santodomingo, Nadia, Vallès, Henri, Veverka, Laura, Villagomez, Angelo, Wenger, Amelia S., and Wosu, Adaoma (2021) Limited progress in improving gender and geographic representation in coral reef science. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8. 731037.
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Abstract
Despite increasing recognition of the need for more diverse and equitable representation in the sciences, it is unclear whether measurable progress has been made. Here, we examine trends in authorship in coral reef science from 1,677 articles published over the past 16 years (2003–2018) and find that while representation of authors that are women (from 18 to 33%) and from non-OECD nations (from 4 to 13%) have increased over time, progress is slow in achieving more equitable representation. For example, at the current rate, it would take over two decades for female representation to reach 50%. Given that there are more coral reef non-OECD countries, at the current rate, truly equitable representation of non-OECD countries would take even longer. OECD nations also continue to dominate authorship contributions in coral reef science (89%), in research conducted in both OECD (63%) and non-OECD nations (68%). We identify systemic issues that remain prevalent in coral reef science (i.e., parachute science, gender bias) that likely contribute to observed trends. We provide recommendations to address systemic biases in research to foster a more inclusive global science community. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to more creative, innovative, and impactful scientific approaches urgently needed for coral reefs and contribute to environmental justice efforts.
| Item ID: | 70110 |
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| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 2296-7745 |
| Keywords: | coral reef science, diversity, equity, gender, inclusion, representation |
| Copyright Information: | © 2021 Ahmadia, Cheng, Andradi-Brown, Baez, Barnes, Bennett, Campbell, Darling, Estradivari, Gill, Gress, Gurney, Horigue, Jakub, Kennedy, Mahajan, Mangubhai, Matsuda, Muthiga, Navarro, Santodomingo, Vallès, Veverka, Villagomez, Wenger and Wosu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Apr 2022 00:06 |
| FoR Codes: | 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410401 Conservation and biodiversity @ 50% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4410 Sociology > 441012 Sociology of inequalities @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180507 Rehabilitation or conservation of marine environments @ 100% |
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