Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends
Abstract Background Gender disparities persist in academic oncology, particularly in authorship and senior academic roles. This study evaluates trends in authorship gender representation over the past decade across top oncology journals, focusing on regional, journal-specific, and citation-based dis...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Molecular Cancer |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02286-x |
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| author | Hang Yi Mingzhong Wan Xu Ou-Yang Yang Wang Yan Wang Yinyan Gao Qihao Leng Shuangping Zhang Yousheng Mao Guochao Zhang |
| author_facet | Hang Yi Mingzhong Wan Xu Ou-Yang Yang Wang Yan Wang Yinyan Gao Qihao Leng Shuangping Zhang Yousheng Mao Guochao Zhang |
| author_sort | Hang Yi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Gender disparities persist in academic oncology, particularly in authorship and senior academic roles. This study evaluates trends in authorship gender representation over the past decade across top oncology journals, focusing on regional, journal-specific, and citation-based disparities. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 29,005 articles published between 2014 and 2023 in the top 20 oncology journals, identified through the Web of Science database. Author gender was determined using the NamSor tool. Temporal trends were analyzed using linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression identified factors contributing to gender disparities. Regional and citation analyses explored geographic variations and citation count differences. Results Among analyzed articles, 41.81% of first authors and 29.93% of last authors were female. Female first authorship showed a significant upward trend (P < 0.01), with gender parity projected by 2034, while parity for last authors is expected by 2055. Regional differences were notable, with North America and Europe leading in female representation. Certain journals, such as CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and Molecular Cancer, exhibited higher female authorship proportions, while Journal of Clinical Oncology had the lowest. Citation analysis revealed female-authored articles received significantly fewer citations than male-authored ones (P < 0.01). Conclusions Although female authorship in oncology journals has increased over the past decade, disparities remain, particularly in senior roles and citation impact. Addressing these issues requires targeted strategies, including mentorship programs, greater female representation in editorial boards, and institutional policies promoting gender equity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-49b316b63efe4122811c72c3ac13aaee |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1476-4598 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-49b316b63efe4122811c72c3ac13aaee2025-08-20T02:51:27ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-03-012411710.1186/s12943-025-02286-xShifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trendsHang Yi0Mingzhong Wan1Xu Ou-Yang2Yang Wang3Yan Wang4Yinyan Gao5Qihao Leng6Shuangping Zhang7Yousheng Mao8Guochao Zhang9Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeShantou University Medical CollegeShantou University Medical CollegeXiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityBloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South UniversityDepartment of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeAbstract Background Gender disparities persist in academic oncology, particularly in authorship and senior academic roles. This study evaluates trends in authorship gender representation over the past decade across top oncology journals, focusing on regional, journal-specific, and citation-based disparities. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 29,005 articles published between 2014 and 2023 in the top 20 oncology journals, identified through the Web of Science database. Author gender was determined using the NamSor tool. Temporal trends were analyzed using linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression identified factors contributing to gender disparities. Regional and citation analyses explored geographic variations and citation count differences. Results Among analyzed articles, 41.81% of first authors and 29.93% of last authors were female. Female first authorship showed a significant upward trend (P < 0.01), with gender parity projected by 2034, while parity for last authors is expected by 2055. Regional differences were notable, with North America and Europe leading in female representation. Certain journals, such as CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and Molecular Cancer, exhibited higher female authorship proportions, while Journal of Clinical Oncology had the lowest. Citation analysis revealed female-authored articles received significantly fewer citations than male-authored ones (P < 0.01). Conclusions Although female authorship in oncology journals has increased over the past decade, disparities remain, particularly in senior roles and citation impact. Addressing these issues requires targeted strategies, including mentorship programs, greater female representation in editorial boards, and institutional policies promoting gender equity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02286-xGender disparitiesOncologyAuthorship trendsCitation analysisAcademic equity |
| spellingShingle | Hang Yi Mingzhong Wan Xu Ou-Yang Yang Wang Yan Wang Yinyan Gao Qihao Leng Shuangping Zhang Yousheng Mao Guochao Zhang Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends Molecular Cancer Gender disparities Oncology Authorship trends Citation analysis Academic equity |
| title | Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends |
| title_full | Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends |
| title_fullStr | Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends |
| title_short | Shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals: a decade of authorship trends |
| title_sort | shifting landscapes of gender equity in oncology journals a decade of authorship trends |
| topic | Gender disparities Oncology Authorship trends Citation analysis Academic equity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02286-x |
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