Gender equity in scientific publishing: Analysis of publications in the Journal of Health Monitoring

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 30; no. Supplement_5
• Main Authors: Seeling, S, Rabenberg, M, Saß, A C, Ziese, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Authoring; Authorship; Documents; Editorials; Fairness; Females; Gender; Gender equity; Internet; Public health; Publishing; Representations; Reviews; Scientific papers; Women
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1300

Abstract Background The importance of gender- and sex-sensitive reporting and communication in science has been widely acknowledged in the past years. At the same time, a 'gendered system' of scientific publishing is increasingly discussed, given the underrepresentation of women as first and last authors, reviewers, on editorial boards and in editorial key positions. Against this background, the Journal of Health Monitoring (JoHM) - a scientific online journal published by the Federal Health Reporting at the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's national public health institute - took stock of the proportion of women among authors and reviewers. Methods Articles published in the JoHM between its founding in 2016 and the last issue in 2019 were included. Descriptive analysis was performed on the proportion of women in first and last authorship, stratified by publication format, and the proportion of peer reviews performed by women. Results A total of 145 articles were included in the analysis, comprising the categories Focus, Fact sheet, Concepts & Methods, Proceedings, Abstract and Editorial. The percentage of articles with first authorship by women was 66% (95/145), ranging from 53% for Focus articles (n = 16/30) to all of the Editorials (n = 6/6). 49% of last authors were female (n = 66/135). Overall, 42% of all reviews were performed by women (n = 96/233). Conclusions With almost two third of the publications analysed, first authorship of women in the JoHM is high. However, the proportion of female last authors and reviewers is lower in comparison. Next to professional qualification, gender should be taken into account when editors select reviewers. Overall, discussion should be stimulated on adequate representation of women in all areas of scientific publishing, given the relevance of visible merits in publishing for the building of scientific careers. Key messages Publications in the Journal of Health Monitoring have a high percentage of female first authors; in comparison, the percentage of last authorship and peer reviews by women is lower. An adequate representation of women in all areas of scientific publishing is essential, given the significance of publishing for merit in science and research.