Comment on “Sexism in Academia is Bad for Science and a Waste of Public Funding”

TL;DR

This paper discusses the problem of sexism in academia and suggests ways to address it to improve science and equity.

Contribution

The paper highlights deeper causes of sexism and proposes better tools for achieving gender equity in academia.

Findings

Sexism in academia negatively impacts science and public funding efficiency.

Basic statistics are insufficient for measuring equity; better tools are needed.

Tailored gender equity plans are essential for addressing institutional sexism.

Abstract

A recent comment by Boivin et al. urges academia and governments to address sexism and fight bias at higher education and research institutions as losing female academics is costing science and society too much. Herein, I discuss further underlying reasons of sexism in academia and the importance of a deep dive into the causes of inequity at individual faculty and school levels to develop bespoke and enforceable gender equity plans, the importance of not using basic statistic as the only tool to measure equity/inequity as well as how key performance indicators could be better used to advance gender equity and end sexism in academia.

Many early, mid‐, and advanced career female academics face sexism at their institutions as highlighted by a recent comment from Boivin et al. The current comment discusses additional underlying causes of sexism in academia and additional tools to improve equity in academia. Ending sexism in academia is a true global challenge.

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