//

Gender diversity and research productivity in accounting and finance: Insights from Australian and New Zealand HEIs

Research productivity is rising, but are gender equity efforts enough to ensure women reach the highest levels of academic success in publishing?

Start Reading

The academic landscape in Australia and New Zealand is undergoing a transformation, particularly in research productivity and gender diversity within the fields of accounting and finance. Recent findings from a study I co-authored with John Sands highlight significant trends that not only reshape academic output but also influence career mobility and gender equity across higher education institutions (HEIs) in these regions. These insights provide valuable lessons for policymakers, educational leaders, and academics striving for more inclusive and productive academic environments.

Increasing research productivity and gender diversity

Research productivity in accounting and finance at higher education institutions in Australia and New Zealand has shown a steady rise between 2011 and 2022, according to an analysis of 48 highly ranked journals. Leading institutions, such as the University of New South Wales, Monash University, and the University of Queensland, are driving this upward trend.

The period also witnessed a significant increase in female authorship, with representation in published research rising from 19.27% to 31.73%. While this marks progress towards greater gender inclusivity in academia, challenges persist. Male authors continue to dominate in terms of higher publication volumes, particularly in top-tier journals. These findings highlight the need for further initiatives to address gender disparities and foster more equitable opportunities.

Affirmative action and career mobility

Affirmative action policies addressing historical inequities play a pivotal role in diversifying the academic workforce in accounting and finance. Beyond increasing representation, these initiatives are fostering supportive work environments, mentorship programmes, and equitable opportunities for career progression. However, their effectiveness must be measured to enable sustainable career advancement for underrepresented groups.

Data indicates that while the number of female researchers contributing to academic publishing has grown, gender disparities persist, particularly among the most prolific authors. This suggests that while such policies are effective in helping women enter academia, additional measures are needed to support their progression to higher levels of research productivity. The gap may stem from a focus on scholarships for entry into academia without sufficient emphasis on developing long-term skills such as research supervision and team management, which significantly impact career trajectories.

High research productivity is also linked to greater career mobility, with top contributors often transitioning between institutions for better opportunities. Women, however, face challenges in leveraging this mobility due to responsibilities outside work. This underscores the competitive nature of academic publishing and highlights the potential of affirmative action policies to create internal pathways for advancement within institutions, reducing reliance on mobility as a primary route to promotion.

Credit. Midjourney

Bridging the gender gap

While strides have been made towards gender parity in academic publishing, significant challenges remain. Female researchers are still underrepresented among the top 5% of the most frequently published academics, reflecting systemic barriers such as limited mentorship opportunities and unequal access to resources.

Addressing this disparity requires targeted institutional efforts. Strengthening mentorship programmes for women, implementing inclusive hiring practices, and ensuring equitable access to research resources are essential steps. These measures can help create an academic environment where all researchers, irrespective of gender, have equal opportunities to excel and contribute meaningfully to their fields.

Future directions for broader application

Although this analysis focused on accounting and finance, the methodology used can be extended to other disciplines, particularly within related business fields that share comparable research quality and productivity standards. Applying this approach more broadly could offer a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of policies aimed at increasing female participation in research across the academic sector.

Such an expansion would also facilitate cross-disciplinary comparisons, helping to identify whether discipline-specific strategies are needed to address unique challenges and promote equitable career outcomes for men and women. This broader perspective could inform the development of tailored interventions to advance gender equity in academia more effectively.

The way forward

As discussions on gender diversity in academia progress, affirmative action policies remain vital for fostering inclusivity. However, these policies must evolve to address not only female participation but also the systemic barriers that hinder women from reaching the upper echelons of academic research.

Creating inclusive and diverse research environments benefits not just gender equity but also the quality of academic work. Teams with diverse perspectives drive innovation and generate fresh ideas, contributing to advancements in education and beyond.

Conclusion

The evolving dynamics of research productivity and gender diversity in Australian and New Zealand higher education institutions highlight progress and ongoing challenges. While female representation in academic publishing has increased, ensuring these advancements lead to sustainable career success for women remains a critical goal.

As affirmative action policies and diversity initiatives expand, the focus must remain on fostering equal opportunities for all scholars. Achieving this will help build a more inclusive, innovative, and productive academic environment for future generations.

Actionable recommendations for advancing gender equity in academia

To address the persistent gender disparities in academia, governments should mandate annual reporting on gender diversity in research outputs and academic leadership, ensuring transparency and accountability. Targeted research grants for female academics can support their career progression, particularly in underrepresented fields like accounting and finance. Universities must expand mentorship initiatives that equip women with the skills needed for sustainable academic success, including research supervision and leadership. Fostering inclusive and diverse research teams through funding incentives can help create equitable opportunities, enabling scholars to contribute meaningfully and thrive in academia.

Further reading

  1. National strategy to achieve gender equality
    Explore Australia’s gender equality initiatives, including policies and frameworks aimed at promoting equity in the workplace and academia.
  2. Athena SWAN charter
    Learn about this internationally recognized program designed to advance gender equity in higher education and research institutions.
  3. United Nations sustainable development goals – goal 5: Gender equality
    Understand how global efforts to achieve gender equality intersect with academic and professional environments.
  4. OECD report on gender equality in academia
    Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities in addressing gender gaps within higher education globally.
  5. Global gender gap report 2023
    Delve into the latest trends and data on global gender equity, with a focus on education, employment, and leadership.

🔬🧫🧪🔍🤓👩‍🔬🦠🔭📚

Journal reference

Arian, A., & Sands, J. (2024). Gender diversity and research productivity in accounting and finance at Australian and New Zealand HEIs. Accounting Education, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2024.2413687

Tags:

Dr. Adam Arian is a Lecturer and researcher in Accounting and Finance at the Australian Catholic University and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland. With deep expertise in corporate disclosure, culture and sustainability, financial risk management, and climate risk disclosure, Dr. Arian’s recent research, co-authored with leading experts, examines the evolving dynamics of gender representation in academic publishing and its implications for equity and career progression. His work provides critical insights for both policymakers and academic leaders, driving forward strategies for a more inclusive and productive academic environment in accounting and finance.

View all

Professor Susan Dann AM is the Campus Dean (Queensland) at the Australian Catholic University and previously served as the Founding Head of the Peter Faber Business School at ACU. With a wealth of experience in governance, she has held Non-Executive Director positions on various boards and serves as a member of two government tribunals. Currently, Professor Dann is a member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and holds the role of State Secretary for St Vincent de Paul Queensland. Recognised for her contributions to education and governance, she is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK), a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, a Certified Practising Marketer, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2018, she was honoured with the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contributions to business education.

View all

Professor John Sands is a Professor of Accounting at the University of Southern Queensland, specialising in corporate governance, sustainability accounting, and management accounting. His research delves into corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability reporting, with a growing emphasis on the role of gender diversity and academic productivity within higher education institutions. Through his collaborative work on gender representation in academic publishing, Professor Sands provides valuable insights into how diversity impacts research outcomes and career advancement, offering guidance for institutional strategies to foster equity and inclusivity in academic settings.

View all

You might be interested in