Analysis of Gender and Scientific Output of Researchers in the Spanish University

Authors

  • Alvaro Ras-Carmona Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
  • Esther M. Lafuente Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
  • Pedro A. Reche Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.859.871

Keywords:

Spanish University, Faculty Rank, Gender Equality, Women, Scientific Productivity, h-index, m-index

Abstract

Aim. Promoting gender equality and excellence are key policies in academia. Therefore, in this work, we investigated scientific output and potential gender disparities of researchers across different faculty positions in the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), the largest academic institution in Spain.

Methods. Researchers’ data were obtained from the UCM Scientific Production Portal. Full name, academic rank, affiliation, thesis defence year and SCOPUS Hirsch (h)-index was collected for each researcher. Sex (men/women) of researchers was assigned after their first names using Python programming. The m-index was computed by dividing the h-index between the length of the researcher´s career, taking in consideration the first publication. Statistical comparisons and analyses were carried out in RStudio.

Results. We found that women are clearly underrepresented in full professor positions despite being a majority in lower academic ranks. This gender disparity in full professor positions is however narrowing down in recent years. The scientific output of researches, as judged by the h-index, varied greatly between Faculties, but overall, correlated positively with the academic rank and no significant differences were detected between women and men, although exceptions were noted. Judging by the m-index, the scientific output of women and men in full professor positions were also alike.

Conclusion. There is effective equality between genders within UCM faculty ranks.

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Author Biographies

  • Alvaro Ras-Carmona, Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain

    MCS & PhD in immunology, postdoctoral fellow at the Complutense University of Madrid in the Department of Immunology. Author of 12 scientific publications.

  • Esther M. Lafuente, Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain

    PhD in Biological Sciences, professor at the Complutense University of Madrid in the Department of Immunology. Author of more than 50 scientific publications, including articles, books and chapters. Associate editor of the Journal of Immunology research. Associate editor of Frontiers in Immunology. Director of the Master in Immunology Research (Complutense University of Madrid).  

  • Pedro A. Reche, Department of Immunology & O2, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Pza Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, full professor at the Complutense University of Madrid in the Department of Immunology. Author of more than 100 scientific publications, including articles, books and chapters, in different topics and areas. Associate editor of Frontiers in Immunology, the Journal of Immunology Research and Vaccines.

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Published

2025-06-27

Issue

Section

LOCAL CULTURES AND SOCIETIES

How to Cite

Ras-Carmona, A., Lafuente, E. M., & Reche, P. A. (2025). Analysis of Gender and Scientific Output of Researchers in the Spanish University. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(1), 859-871. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.859.871