Predictors of Gender Inequalities in the Rank of Full Professor

Abstract

This article examines whether age, work-related, and family-related predictors explain differences in the academic advancement of women and men in Iceland. Survey data were analyzed by binary logistic regression. The findings put that women climb the academic career ladder at a slower pace than men. This finding puts one of the widely known excuses for the underrepresentation of women in full professor positions into jeopardy, namely that this is because of family responsibilities. Work-related variables explain some of the gender differences. The study shows that as promotion is slower among women, even if family-related variables are not negatively affecting the odds, the academic pipeline is leaking despite Iceland's reputation for being at the forefront where gender equality issues are concerned.

Keywords:

• academia
• defamilization
• gender inequality
• professional status

Notes

1  Men: N=246, Mean (M)=4.93, Standard Deviation (SD)= 1.06, Range (R)=1–7. Women: N=183, M=4.86, SD=1.02, R=1–7.

2  Men: N=245, M=2.66, SD=1.55, R=0–7. Women: N=183, M=3.01, SD=1.48, R=0–7.

3  Men: N=243, M=2.64, SD=1.25, R=0–5. Women: N=182, M=2.37, SD=1.06, R=0–5.

4  Men: N=245, M=2.7, SD=.92, R=1–4. Women: N=182, M=2.6, SD=.89, R=1–4.

5  Men: N=245, M=1.22, SD=1.28, R=0–4. Women: N=184, M=1.11, SD=1.06, R=0–4.