Power in Editorial Positions: Where Are the Women in Public Administration?

Abstract

Journal editors serve a vital, powerful role in academic fields. They set research priorities, serve as gatekeepers for research, play a critical role in advancing junior scholars as reviewers and eventually into editorial roles, build extensive networks while serving as editors, and gain valuable insight into the behavior and preferences of reviewers and researchers in the field. This paper analyzes data collected from eleven leading public administration journals in 2014. The data illustrate a clear underrepresentation of women on editorial boards and complete absence of women in chief and managing editor positions at our journals. Drawing from these data, research on journal editorships, departmental websites, and interviews with senior and junior women in the field, I discuss the underrepresentation of women in journal leadership. I then propose a number of mechanisms by which all public administration scholars (junior, senior, men, and women), journal leadership, and academic departments can move toward increasing women’s representation in these important positions.