Female Authorship and Ophthalmology Journal Editorial Board Membership Trends Over the Last Decade, 2012-2021

Abstract

To study the relationship between female authorship and editorial board membership in 3 ophthalmology journals from 2012 to 2021. Cross-sectional and trend study. The prevalence of female first, senior authorship, and editorial board members were examined in Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, and American Journal of Ophthalmology. Gender-API assigned gender to authors based on name and country. Editorial board (EB) information was manually extracted and grouped for comparison among leadership positions. Gender data collected on authorship and EB membership were compared. The proportion of women in EB positions was identified: editor-in-chief, mid-level editors, and consulting editors. Relationship between female authorship and editorial board membership was analyzed. Women published fewer articles as first (1547/4267) and senior (1165/4267) authors than did men. The proportion of women in senior authorship significantly increased from 2012 to 2021 (23.4% to 30.5%, P=.0046). Across EB, a significant increase in female members (13.9% to 34.6%, P=.0006) was observed. There was a significant correlation (P < .0001) between female EB members and female authors (r=0.74, 95% CI=0.51-0.87) for all journals. The odds of female first authorships were 1.89 (95% CI=1.65-2.17) times higher for articles with female senior authors than for male senior authors (P < .0001). Female senior authorship significantly increased over the last decade. Journals with a higher representation of female EB members also had a higher representation of female authorship. This study found a positive association between first and senior female authorship; however, the gender gap persists. Continued efforts to reach equity in publications and EB representation are necessary.