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Gender inequalities in library and information science (LIS)

Dombrovská, Michaela; Lapúniková, Magdaléna

Publisher
Zenodo
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17307870
Repository
zenodo.org
Language
en

Abstract

This Open Educational Resource (OER), entitled Gender Inequalities in Library and Information Science (LIS), was developed within the framework of the European project GEDIS – Gender Diversity in Information Science: Challenges in Higher Education. Its main goal is to present current challenges and persistent inequalities between women and men in the field of Library and Information Science, while proposing innovative approaches to foster equality, diversity, and an inclusive academic environment. The material highlights systemic barriers that continue to hinder women’s career progression in LIS, despite their numerical majority in study programmes. It identifies key areas of inequality—research and publication practices, professional roles, and the broader European context—and connects them to current European Union initiatives such as She Figures and other reports promoting structural change in academia. The OER also includes discussion prompts and reflective questions designed to encourage critical thinking about gender equality within higher education. It is primarily aimed at university teachers and students in the field of Library and Information Science who wish to deepen their understanding of gender disparities and actively contribute to their reduction through education and innovative pedagogical practices. Sources and recommended readings are drawn from up-to-date academic research, including bibliometric analyses of gender differences in LIS and case studies of universities integrating gender and LGBTQ perspectives into their curricula. Citation: Dombrovská, Michaela, Magdaléna Lapúniková and Juan-José Boté-Vericad. 2025. Genderové nerovnosti v knihovnictví a informační vědě (LIS). DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17307805. Gender inequalities in library and information science (LIS). Translation: Michaela Dombrovská a Magdaléna Lapúniková. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17307870

Full text

Gender inequalities in Library and Information Science (LIS) GEDIS - Gender Diversity in Information Science: Challenges in Higher Education. https://ub.edu/gedis This open educational resource (OER) explores persistent gender inequalities in the field of library and information science (LIS) and presents innovative approaches to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. The aim is to encourage critical thinking about the systemic barriers that women in particular encounter in LIS. Target Audience:  university teachers,  university students 4. Sources GEDIS project context Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE). Neither the EU nor the granting authority can be held responsible. This resource is part of the European project GEDIS (Gender Diversity in Information Science), which promotes open educational tools to tackle gender inequalities in higher education, with an emphasis on disciplines related to Information and Library Science. Citation: Dombrovská, Michaela, Magdaléna Lapúniková and Juan-José Boté-Vericad. 2025. Genderové nerovnosti v knihovnictví a informační vědě (LIS). DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17307805. Gender inequalities in library and information science (LIS). Translation: Michaela Dombrovská a Magdaléna Lapúniková. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17307870 1. Gender Inequalities in LIS Although the LIS field is considered a female domain, men disproportionately hold higher-status management positions and receive higher salaries. Studies show that men dominate in terms of the number of publications and in the position of lead author. Persistent systemic barriers limit women's career growth, despite their numerical superiority in study programs. 2. Key Areas of Inequality 3. Reflection and Discussion 1.What are the main causes of gender inequality in the LIS field, despite the fact that women predominate in study programs? 2.How could women be supported to attain higher leadership positions and greater visibility in scientific research? 3.What specific steps could your institution take to implement equal opportunities in recruitment, pay, and career advancement? 4.How can pedagogical innovations (such as the GEDIS project) be used to promote gender literacy and disrupt stereotypes in LIS teaching? Choji, T. Cobo, M., Moral-Munoz, J. (2024). Is the scientific impact of the LIS themes gender-biased? A bibliometric analysis of the evolution, scientific impact, and relative contribution by gender from 2007 to 2022. Scientometrics, volume 129, pp 6023–6047. DOI: 10.1007/s11192-024-05005-3 D’Alessio, V. (2025). The art of inclusion: EU moves to empower girls in science. The Horizon Magazine (online), 11. 2. 2025. https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-magazine/artinclusion-eu-moves-empower-girls-science Villarroya, A., Boté-Vericad, J.-J. (2023). The gender and LGBTQ perspectives in library and information science: A case study at the University of Barcelona. Library & Information Science Research, volume 45, issue 2. DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2023.101238 Research and publications Men publish more frequently, have higher scientific productivity, and hold more leadership roles in academia, including in LIS. Professions and roles EU context Men are more likely to hold leadership positions, particularly those related to technology and STEM. Reports such as She Figures and other EU initiatives highlight the persistent gender gap in academia and the need for systemic change to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.