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Female representation at Australasian specialty conferences
Author(s) -
Modra Lucy J,
Yong Sarah Ann,
Austin Danielle E
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja16.00839
Subject(s) - citation , specialty , art history , library science , representation (politics) , art , medicine , computer science , family medicine , law , political science , politics
The use of targets for female representation is controversial: some argue that these unfairly favour women and that selection should be based on merit alone. However, there is a measurable bias against women even in apparently objective, merit-based selection processes. This is likely to be amplified in informal selection processes such as invitations to speak at a conference. Attempting to select candidates based on merit alone may even increase unconscious gender bias. Setting targets for female representation is a transparent and effective way to counteract unconscious gender bias.