Gender Equity Perceptions among Social and Administrative Sciences Pharmacy Faculty: An AACP-APhA Task Force Report

Abstract

ObjectiveThe American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Social and Administrative Sciences (AACP SAS) Section and the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science’s Economic, Social and Administrative Sciences (APhA-APRS ESAS) Section formed a Gender Equity Task Force to determine if there is evidence to suggest that there is gender disparity in pay; responsibilities; treatment by peers/colleagues, students, and administration; leadership opportunities; rank, tenure status, and career advancement for Section members; and to develop recommendations to address existing disparities. MethodsA Qualtrics survey was emailed in December 2020 to all AACP SAS and APhA-APRS ESAS Section members. The questionnaire included items regarding favorability toward men or women in various academic domains (research, teaching, service, recruitment, mentoring, and advancement). Participants were asked if they had experienced gender inequity, and if so, at what type of institution and academic rank. Chi-square tests of independence and post-hoc comparisons were used to assess item responses based on gender. ResultsSeventy-two percent of respondents indicated they had experienced gender inequity. Women and persons of color were more likely to do so. Women commonly reported that men received more favorable treatment in nearly all academic domains, whereas men reported that women and men were treated the same. ConclusionSocial and administrative sciences pharmacy faculty reported experiences of gender inequity and perceptions of gender equity. Perception gaps existed between male and female faculty in numerous academic domains. Colleges and schools of pharmacy should increase awareness of, and strive to self-assess, gender inequity in their institutions.