Political science must address gender inequality
There's been an increase in leadership roles for women in political science but more needs to be done to advance gender equality within the discipline, according to a new report co-authored by Professor Umut Korkut.
Glasgow Caledonian's Professor of International Politics surveyed 34 political science associations across the globe for the International Political Science Association's Gender and Diversity Monitoring Report 2022.
Professor Korkut, who sits on the IPSA executive committee, is currently Vice-President of the organisation, which strives to build academic networks in all parts of the world.
The findings of the fourth annual survey were presented at the 2023 IPSA World Congress in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The report found while issues relating to gender and other forms of diversity have yet to be addressed in some countries, other associations are leading the way on gender and diversity issues.
There has been progress in the representation of women and diversity as members in professional associations of political science, in addition to their presence in the discipline as active and recognised researchers and leaders.
However, their leadership numbers are still not in parity with their male counterparts, and there are numerous associations that are still to elect their first female president.
Professor Korkut said: "The findings of this fourth IPSA Gender and Diversity Monitoring Report are important for highlighting the ways in which attention to gender and gender equality is interconnected with the building of an inclusive discipline globally.
"While the noted successes have been uneven, the trend toward greater inclusion has clearly benefited from discussion and implementation of institutional mechanisms attuned to gender and diversity equality.
"The findings and analysis in this report provide guideposts for ways both IPSA and PSAs may foster greater inclusion in the years ahead."