Gender-based disparities and biases in science: observational study of a virtual conference

• Published in: bioRxiv
• Main Authors: Zhang, Junhanlu, Torchet, Rachel, Hanna, Julienne
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 17.10.2022; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
• Edition: 1.3
• Subjects: Conferences; Gender; Scientific Communication and Education; Sex discrimination; STEM education
• ISSN: 2692-8205; 2692-8205
• DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.07.483337

Success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) remains influenced by race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Here, we focus on the impact of gender on question-asking behavior during the 2021 JOBIM virtual conference (Journées Ouvertes en Biologie et Mathématiques). We gathered quantitative and qualitative data including~: demographic information, question asking motivations, live observations and interviews of participants. Quantitative analyses include unprecedented figures such as the fraction of the audience identifying as LGBTQIA+ and an increased attendance of women in virtual conferences. Although parity was reached in the audience, women asked half as many questions as men. This under-representation persisted after accounting for seniority of the asker. Interviews of participants highlighted several barriers to oral expression encountered by women and gender minorities~: negative reactions to their speech, discouragement to pursue a career in research, and gender discrimination/sexual harassment. Informed by the study, guidelines for conference organizers have been written. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes * Clarification on GDPR policy - author's detailed contribution * https://research.pasteur.fr/en/project/jobim-2021-pilot-project-gender-speaking-differences-in-academia/ * https://gitlab.pasteur.fr/hub/gender_at_jobim_2021