161 Gender Representation Within Editorial Leadership Roles of United Kingdom Surgical journals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Women remain under-represented in surgery in the United Kingdom. Representation on journal editorial boards is a key metric of gender representation within academic surgery. Aim To quantify the gender representation within editorial leadership of journals affiliated with United Kingdom surgical specialties. Method A list of surgical specialties was obtained from the Royal College of Surgeons England. A web search for United Kingdom specialty associations was conducted. Each association webpage was then searched for an affiliated journal. Once identified, the gender of the editor-in-chief and other leadership positions including associate, section and deputy editors was collected. Gender classification was completed by first name recognition and verified by a web search using the name and institution provided. Managing editors without a clinical background were excluded. Results 9 journals were identified for the following surgical specialties: General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic, Urology, Paediatric Surgery, Ear Nose & Throat, Oral & Maxillofacial, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. There was no journal associated with the United Kingdom vascular society. A total of 195 positions were identified. 164 were occupied by males (84%), and 31 by females (16%). There were no female editor-in-chiefs. The average female proportion of editorial leadership per journal was also 16%. One journal did not have any female representation. Conclusions Women are under-represented in surgery and this trend translates to leadership roles within academic journals. If initiatives designed to promote gender parity are to be effective and sustained, surgical journals should scrutinise their own imbalances and seek to rectify them.