Intersectional inequalities in science
Publication type
journal article
Publication date
2022
Author(s)
Kozlowski, Diego
Larivière, Vincent
Sugimoto, Cassidy R.
Monroe-White, Thema
Language
English
View point(s)
Global
Geographical area
Abstract
The US scientific workforce is primarily composed of White men. Studies have demonstrated the systemic barriers preventing women and other minoritized populations from gaining entry to science; few, however, have taken an intersectional perspective and examined the consequences of these inequalities on scientific knowledge. We provide a large-scale bibliometric analysis of the relationship between intersectional identities, topics, and scientific impact. We find homophily between identities and topic, suggesting a relationship between diversity in the scientific workforce and expansion of the knowledge base. However, topic selection comes at a cost to minoritized individuals for whom we observe both between- and within-topic citation disadvantages. To enhance the robustness of science, research organizations should provide adequate resources to historically underfunded research areas while simultaneously providing access for minoritized individuals into high-prestige networks and topics.
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
ISSN
1091-6490
Volume
119
Issue
2
Pagination
e2113067119