The boom in research outputs in accounting and finance disciplines in higher education institutions in Australia and New Zealand universities is accompanied by another welcome trend – a dramatic increase in female authorship. 

This rise in female authorship marks a turning point in academic culture, fostering a more dynamic, inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints enrich the field of accounting and finance. It’s also vital for students within those disciplines to see diverse scholarship.

Emerging scholars in these fields need to see what’s possible.

Beyond the numbers in accounting and finance

Beyond the numbers, this shift is reshaping how research is conducted and valued, promoting equity and innovation as essential components of academic success. For universities, particularly leading institutions, supporting women’s voices in research isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s a strategic move that amplifies the depth, relevance, and societal impact of their scholarly contributions.

The proportion of female representation in published research rose by nearly two-thirds between 2011 and  2022. We analysed 48 top-tier ranked accounting and finance journals. leading institutions, including the University of New South Wales, Monash University, and the University of Queensland, are at the forefront of this rise in research productivity.

That’s  a positive step towards more gender-inclusive academic environments but the data also reveals ongoing challenges. Male authors still dominate the ranks of those with higher publication volumes particularly in the highest ranked journals. That signals the need for further support to close this gap.

Affirmative Action and Career Mobility

A key focus of our study was assessing how affirmative action policies foster a more diverse academic workforce. These policies, designed to address historical inequities, are proving effective in enhancing the presence of female researchers in accounting and finance. The policies are not just about increasing numbers. Affirmative action’s impact must also be assessed in terms of the quality of opportunities it provides through mentorship programs, supportive work environments, and other policies to facilitate more equitable career advancement.

Our findings show that women are occupying more space in academic publishing. 

Yet a gender gap remains, most notably among the most prolific authors. This suggests that while affirmative action is helping more women enter the academic pipeline, further efforts are needed to support them in progressing to the highest levels of research productivity. 

While the increase in female authorship is encouraging, it underscores a critical need for sustained support structures that go beyond entry-level opportunities. Mentorship, targeted professional development, and access to resources that bolster long-term productivity are vital to helping female academics navigate and excel in high-stakes publishing environments. 

Facing challenges

Without these, many women face challenges in reaching senior research roles and leading impactful studies.

The reasons for this are unclear but may be related to the gendered emphasis on supporting scholarships for women to enter the academic workforce but not following through to support the development of sustainable research productivity skills with career impact, such as research supervision or research team management capabilities.

We also explored job mobility among top contributors. High research productivity correlates with greater career mobility, with prolific researchers being attractive in the job market moving between institutions to seek better opportunities. Women have traditionally been less able to take advantage of this mobility due to family and non-work responsibilities. This mobility highlights the competitive nature of academic publishing and underscores the potential for affirmative action policies to create more career pathways for underrepresented groups within institutions, reducing the reliance on mobility as a pathway to promotion.

Bridging the Gender Gap

Despite the progress made, much more needs to be done to achieve true gender parity in academic publishing. Our study found that female authors are underrepresented among the top five per cent of most frequently published researchers. This underrepresentation at the highest levels indicates that systemic barriers, such as gaps in mentorship and resource limitations, continue to hinder female academics from reaching their full potential in terms of research output.

To bridge this gap, institutions need to strengthen mentorship programs for women, promote inclusive hiring practices, and provide more equitable access to resources. These efforts are crucial to ensuring that all researchers, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to thrive in the academic community.

Future Directions for Broader Application

This study focused only on the disciplines of accounting and finance. However, the methodology developed for this study is equally applicable across multiple disciplines.

A broader application of the methodology to other disciplines would provide a more holistic understanding of the impact of policies supporting the increased engagement of women in research at a sector-wide level. It would also enable cross-disciplinary comparisons to determine whether more granular and discipline-specific incentives and supports may be required to achieve more equitable career outcomes between men and women in academia.

The Way Forward

As the conversation around gender diversity in academia continues to evolve, it is clear that affirmative action policies play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity. THowever, these policies must be continually evaluated and expanded to ensure they go beyond increasing female participation. They must also address the deeper structural barriers that prevent women from advancing to the highest levels of academic research.

Fostering inclusive and diverse research environments not only improves gender equity but also enriches academic output and innovation. Diverse research teams bring various perspectives essential for driving new ideas and solutions in education and beyond.

What next

Our study sheds light on the evolving dynamics of research productivity and gender diversity within Australian and New Zealand HEIs. While we have made significant strides in increasing female representation in academic publishing, there is still work to be done to ensure these gains translate into long-term career success for women in academia.

As institutions continue to implement affirmative action policies and other diversity initiatives, we must stay focused on providing equal opportunities for all scholars. Doing so can create a more inclusive, innovative, and productive academic landscape for future generations.

Based on our analysis of 48 top-tier ranked accounting and finance journals, research outputs at Australian and New Zealand HEIs steadily increased between 2011 and 2022. Leading institutions, including the University of New South Wales, Monash University, and the University of Queensland, are at the forefront of this rise in research productivity.For further reading, you can access the full research paper here: https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2024.2413687.