Gender bias in scientific recognition: Presence and evolution of women in research awards in Spain (2000–2023)

Abstract

This study analyses the presence and evolution of female scientists in research awards in Spain between 2000 and 2023, addressing under-representation and systematic gender biases that disadvantage women in the recognition of scientific achievements. Based on a unique sample of 171 different research awards in all fields of knowledge, totalling 4062 prize winners, the analysis of the 24-year time frame studied reveals an average 31.6% increase in awards to women over the period as a whole, nearing the 40% threshold for accolades received in the final years considered. This is thus similar to the percentage of female representation within the field of science in Spain. Despite this overall progress, awards for women are less prominent than those given to men, wherein they receive 39.5% of prizes for specific works, but only 25.1% of career awards, regarded as more prestigious. Until now, no study for a European country has involved the analysis of such a large sample over time as the one presented here, and it clearly indicates how gender inequalities have been progressively reduced in the more than two decades studied, but they still persist in particular in relation to the most distinguished awards. The data shown here may favour informed decision-making on the part of public authorities, encouraging greater recognition of women scientists.