Challenging the status quo in research: Prof Martina Schraudner on Elsevier’s gender report

To delve deeper into the report’s findings and their implications for women in research and the global research community, we asked distinguished experts to share their insights.

We spoke with Prof Dr Martina Schraudner opens in new tab/window, Chair for Gender and Diversity in Technology and Product Development at the Technical University of Berlin opens in new tab/window and Scientific Director and founder of the Fraunhofer Center for Responsible Research and Innovation opens in new tab/window, about the importance of gender representation in academic research, data and institutions. She shared her thoughts on the report’s findings and implications for research moving forward.

Women’s contributions to the “gray literature”

Prof Schraudner was particularly intrigued by what she calls the “gray literature effect,” referring to the notable representation of women in non-traditional publications such as reports, working papers, theses and dissertations that are not commercially published. “In the German context, there is a realization that we have had a huge blind spot around women’s perspectives,” Prof Schraudner noted. “Policymakers are keen to include women’s insights, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for diverse perspectives in policymaking might be reflected in this increasing representation of women in the gray literature.”

Striving for diversity in people and data

Prof Schraudner emphasized the need for diversity not just among research personnel but also in the data being used.

In discussing the impact of societal and political shifts on gender dynamics in research, Prof Schraudner noted, “We don't have enough data to evaluate causalities.” She suggested that more nuanced and diversified data, including considerations of ethnicity, culture and even religion, could provide a more comprehensive picture of the factors that drive patterns and trends in gender equity in the global research workforce.

Consequences of the gender gap in patents

Regarding patent filings, Prof Schraudner pointed out the report’s finding that while more women may be involved in the research process, they are significantly underrepresented when it comes to patent filings. “We advise students and postdocs to think about the translational implications of their research, but I’m not clear it is having an effect,” she said.

The gender discrepancy in patent filings may stem from a lack of focus among women on the patent process, which she considered a missed opportunity as women are not only researchers but innovators and entrepreneurs. She warned that university leaders will need to pay closer attention to this issue or academia will continue to lose creative researchers to industry.

Challenging traditional evaluation structures

When discussing the impact of women’s research, Prof Schraudner emphasized the need to look beyond the standard metrics of success. She suggested measuring the translation of ideas to industry, such as the number of patents or startup companies, as well as the broader societal relevance of research, such as media and policy citations. She also mentioned the report’s finding that research by women has a strong societal impact in the context of global challenges outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opens in new tab/window.

While Prof Schraudner acknowledged the need for a strong educational foundation in specific scientific disciplines, she advocated for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research at the graduate level and beyond, which the report found to be more attractive to women.

Tapping into global expertise

Prof Schraudner sees a unique opportunity presented by the globalization of research and the report’s inclusion of additional countries in the Global South. She views the report and its findings as an increasingly valuable recruitment resource as well as for sharing knowledge and expertise. “The [report’s] dashboard tells us where we can find well-educated people in specific disciplines for research or industry,” she explained.

In conclusion, Prof Schraudner’s insights underscored the crucial role of women in research and the importance of recognizing and validating their contributions. She upheld the report as a useful tool that could be used to convince stakeholders of three key ideas: “The politics driving our research priorities must include more women; the scientific researcher talent pool is truly global; and the inclusion of different perspectives makes research and science better.”

Prof Schraudner’s perspectives also illuminated the need for a more inclusive and multidisciplinary approach to research, with women in positions where they can offer valuable perspectives and guidance to policymakers, universities and research institutions.