Study Reveals Persistent Gender Gap in Veterinary Surgery Publications Despite Progress

A new study published in PLOS ONE sheds light on a longstanding issue in veterinary medicine: the underrepresentation of women in academic surgery publications.

The research team analyzed 2,881 articles published in the journal Veterinary Surgery between 2002 and 2023, focusing on author gender and position within the author list. Using a combination of automated and manual verification, they identified key trends in authorship across two decades.

Key Findings

• 36% of all authors were women, despite women making up the majority of the veterinary profession (over 60% in the U.S. and U.K.).

• Female representation varied by author position:

  • First authors: 43%

  • Second authors: 37%

  • Last (senior) authors: Only 28%

• Over time, progress has been made for first authors: the proportion of female first authors rose from 29% in 2010 to 60% in 2022.

• Senior authorship remains a barrier: female last authors increased from 10% in 2002 to 36% in 2023, but still lag behind.

• Subject area mattered: women were less likely to appear on orthopaedic surgery papers, which historically have lower female representation in both human and veterinary medicine.

Why It Matters

Veterinary medicine is now a female-dominated profession—in the U.S., roughly 80% of veterinary students are women, and women make up a majority of practicing veterinarians. Yet leadership and academic roles often tell a different story. This study reveals that even as women enter the profession in large numbers, they remain underrepresented in prestigious and influential authorship positions, particularly in surgical research.

“The disparities we observed, especially in senior author roles, underscore structural and cultural barriers that persist in academic veterinary medicine,” the authors noted.

The researchers emphasize the need for institutional and journal-level initiatives to address these gaps. Potential solutions include mentorship programs, bias training in peer review and editorial processes, and policies to encourage diversity in authorship.

“Publishing is central to academic career progression,” the study states. “Without equitable representation, gender disparities in leadership will persist.”

Read full study here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0330392