The Tree of Gender Inequality in Science: Roots, Leaves, and Paths to Change

Letícia Regina Morello Sartori; Maria Eduarda Lima do Nascimento Marinho; Laura Barreto Moreno; Françoise Hélène van de Sande; Marcos Britto Correa; Flavio Fernando Demarco; Luisa Jardim Corrêa de Oliveira; Sarah Arangurem Karam; Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz; Marília Leão Goettems; Maximiliano Sérgio Cenci; Tatiana Pereira-Cenci; Giana da Silveira Lima; Alini Cardoso Soares; Gabriel Lima Braz; Marina Christ Franco; Helena Silveira Schuch; Laylla Galdino dos Santos; Maísa Casarin; Noéli Boscato; Rafael Ratto Moraes; Luiz Alexandre Chisini; Ana Carolina Uchoa Vasconcelos; Anelise Montagner

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16692

##article.authors##

Letícia Regina Morello Sartori Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1082-0534
- Conceptualization
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Project Administration
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
Maria Eduarda Lima do Nascimento Marinho Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3037-990X
- Conceptualization
- Software
- Writing – Review & Editing
Laura Barreto Moreno Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8251-4149
- Conceptualization
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Writing – Review & Editing
Françoise Hélène van de Sande Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8239-9630
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Marcos B Correa Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1797-3541
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Flavio Fernando Demarco Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2276-491X
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Luisa Jardim Corrêa de Oliveira Catholic University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7738-4338
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Sarah Arangurem Karam Catholic University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3921-0182
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3945-1752
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Marília Leão Goettems Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6512-2602
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Maximiliano Sérgio Cenci Radboud University Nijmegen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2543-6201
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Tatiana Pereira-Cenci Radboud University Nijmegen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5166-8233
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Giana da Silveira Lima Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8451-9552
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Alini Cardoso Soares Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6445-0658
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Gabriel Lima Braz Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4858-562X
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Marina Christ Franco Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4475-3330
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Helena Silveira Schuch The University of Queensland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9932-9698
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Laylla Galdino dos Santos Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4396-0979
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Maísa Casarin Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3750-5091
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Noéli Boscato Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3817-1732
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Rafael Ratto Moraes Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1358-5928
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Luiz Alexandre Chisini Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3695-0361
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Ana Carolina Uchoa Vasconcelos Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6560-9536
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Anelise Montagner Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1586-2335
- Conceptualization
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Project Administration
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16692

Keywords:

Gender Inequality, Academia, Scientific Research, Systemic Bias, Gender Equity, Mentorship, Institutional reforms

Abstract

Gender inequalities persist in the scientific community, including dentistry, affecting key aspects such as representation, success, and recognition. Despite progress in increasing women's participation in research, disparities remain, particularly in publication rates, citation impact, funding acquisition, and leadership positions. This opinion article examines the systemic and structural barriers that impede women's academic advancement, introduces the Tree of Gender Inequality in Science model, and discusses potential interventions to promote gender equity in science. Gender disparities in academia are deeply rooted in systemic biases and institutional structures. Women are consistently underrepresented among highly cited researchers, editorial boards, and grant recipients. Implicit biases, discriminatory hiring practices, and limited access to mentorship further hinder their career progression. However, interventions such as unconscious bias training, mentorship programs, and equity-based institutional reforms have the potential to address these inequalities. In conclusion, addressing gender disparities in academia requires a multifaceted approach that combines policy reforms, institutional commitment, and cultural shifts. Achieving gender equality is essential for scientific innovation and progress. Immediate action is needed to dismantle barriers and create inclusive environments that enable all researchers to thrive.