Gender differences in academic productivity during Covid-19 pandemic
Nov 24, 2020
Washington [US], November 24 : A study of faculty in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) found that individuals with children younger than six years worked significantly fewer hours after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Women reported a significant decrease in first- and co-author manuscript submissions, whereas no significant differences in productivity were reported by men.
"Overall, significant disparities were observed in academic productivity by gender and child age during COVID-19 'stay-at-home' orders and, if confirmed by further research, should be considered by academic institutions and funding agencies when making decisions regarding funding, hiring, promotion, and tenure," said Rebecca Krukowski, PhD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and coauthors.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many STEMM faculty to work from home and, especially when young children are in the home, has put a strain on work hours. Publishing is crucial when seeking grant support for research, looking for a job, and seeking promotion and tenure," said Journal of Women's Health Editor-in-Chief Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Executive Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women's Health, Richmond, VA.
