The issues of gender inequality are not unique to medicine. However, within clinical academia, women are more likely to drop off academic pathways and are less represented within the top clinical academic positions.
The University of Manchester’s Professor Gabrielle Finn has led research into inequalities in Clinical Academic (CA) careers.
This study considers the barriers and enablers to clinical academic careers for doctors and dentists in the UK including any biases or inequalities related to protected characteristics, in particular gender or ethnicity.
The work was funded by:
- The NIHR Academy;
- Academy of Medical Sciences;
- Cancer Research UK;
- Health Education England;
- Medical Research Council;
- Wellcome Trust.
This work is titled “From the sticky floor to the glass ceiling and everything in between: A systematic review and qualitative study focusing on gender inequalities in Clinical Academic careers”.
Our reports
Two reports have been produced, a full report and a short report. You can also view a summary video of the main results.
The DOIs for citing these reports are:
- Full report: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.35907.32809
- Short report: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14667.92966
VIDEO: The findings of our study, “From the sticky floor to the glass ceiling and everything in between: A systematic review and qualitative study focusing on gender inequalities in Clinical Academic careers”.
Duration: 24.08
About the study
This multi-phasic study sought to explore barriers and facilitators to Clinical Academic (CA) careers, with a focus on inequalities based upon gender and ethnicity.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and a qualitative exploration, including interviews and audio diaries. An intervention plan was created to enable clinical trusts, research funders and academic institutions to address inequalities and promote the recruitment and retention of CAs.
Outputs and impacts
Many barriers and enablers have been identified, supported by the results of a parallel systematic review. It is hoped this work will aid funders in improving access to clinical academia, as well as helping aspiring clinical academics to smash through the glass ceiling.
The project has already had a number of positive outputs and impacts including:
- Conference presentations, available on YouTube
- Changes in Athena SWAN restrictions placed upon funding applications, as reported on the NIHR website
- A cross-funder letter to universities asking them to consider how they create supportive research culture
- Being highlighted by the Medical Schools Council
The work was led by:
Principal Investigator Professor Gabrielle Finn, Honorary Researcher at HYMS and Vice Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students at The University of Manchester.
View Gabrielle’s research profile
Co-Principal Investigator Dr Jess Morgan, Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Oncology at HYMS.
You can also read about the study on the HYMS website.
The research was undertaken with teams from the Health Professions Education Unit (HPEU) at Hull York Medical School, and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York.
Professor Gabrielle Finn and the Health Professions Education Unit team led the qualitative studies and the development of the intervention plan.
Dr Jess Morgan and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination led the Systematic Review, the protocol for which can be accessed on the BMC website.
Principal investigators:
- Professor Gabrielle Finn, The University of Manchester
- Dr Jessica Morgan, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
Research team:
- Dr Amelia Kehoe, Health Professions Education Unit, University of York
- Dr John Buchanan, Queen Mary University London, Bart’s Health NHS Trust
- Dr Abisola Balogun-Katung, Health Professions Education Unit, University of York
- Dr Paul Tiffin, University of York, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Foundation NHS Trust
- Ms Ellie Taylor, University of Hull and University of Leeds
- Dr Paul Crampton, Health Professions Education Unit, University of York
- Mrs Jennifer Brown, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
- Mr Connor Evans, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
- Dr Gary Raine, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
- Professor Lesley Stewart, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
- Dr Eleonora Uphoff, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
Project updates are accessible via the project Twitter account.
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