Participation of women in scientific production in STEM fields: A bibliometric analysis of Chilean engineering and mathematics journals

Abstract

This study examines gender gaps in scientific production and in the composition of editorial boards of Chilean engineering and mathematics journals indexed in Scopus during the period 2014–2023. Using a bibliometric methodology, 2,026 documents and 171 editorial board members were analyzed, considering variables such as authorship, gender, and patterns of scientific collaboration. The results reveal a persistent underrepresentation of women in both dimensions. On editorial boards, female participation reaches only 21,1%, varying between 10,3% and 32,7% across journals. In scientific production, women account for 23% of authorships in engineering and 18,3% in mathematics, with additional differences observed in leadership positions: men accounted for 61,9% of corresponding. Furthermore, articles with mixed-gender authorship show the highest average number of citations (3,74), although this difference is not statistically significant compared to other authorship configurations. Overall, these findings highlight the persistence of gender inequalities in STEM fields and the need for strategies to promote greater equity. The applied methodology provides a systematic and replicable diagnosis that is relevant for policymakers, editorial boards, and university authorities interested in reducing these gaps. Thus, the study contributes evidence on structural inequalities in academia and serves as a starting point for future research and the design of actions that foster more equitable participation in scientific activity. revista_ingeniare_volumen_34_ar…