Shifts in Research Authorship by Women of Color in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Five-Year Narrative Analysis (2021-2025)

Background: Founded in 2020, Women of Color in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (WOCPRS) aims to support the careers and training of underrepresented women in plastic surgery. This study analyzes evolving research among WOCPRS, highlighting their scholarly contributions over time. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of abstracts, posters, and presentations authored by WOCPRS members at major U.S. plastic surgery conferences (ACEPS, AAPS, CSPS, PSTM, and The Aesthetic Meet) from 2021-2025. Abstracts were extracted from publicly available conference programs. Duplicate entries across conferences were coded once and flagged separately. Each abstract was categorized by topic domain (aesthetic, breast, craniofacial/cleft, gender affirmation, hand, limb, microsurgery, skin/wound/trauma, basic science, DEI, education/training) and by narrative framing (AI, empowerment, health equity, innovation, outcomes, policy/systems) to assess temporal trends. Results: A total of 355 unique abstracts authored by WOCPRS members were identified across twenty-four major conferences from 2021 to 2025. Across all conferences, the number of abstracts authored by WOCPRS members increased by 650%. The most prevalent topic domains were Craniofacial (21%), Breast (17%) and Education/Training (13%). Notably, temporal trends revealed a growing focus on Education/Training research, alongside a decline in Breast and Craniofacial research. Most significantly, contributions to aesthetic surgery rose (X = 11.45, p < 0.02), reflecting expanding scholarly engagement in this domain. Narrative framing also shifted over time. Outcomes research demonstrated the strongest and most consistent growth (X2 = 35.03, p < 0.0001), emphasizing a sustained focus on evidence-based practice and patient centered accountability. Additionally, recent years showed notable increases in Innovation and AI-related framing; a significant surge in AI-related work was seen in 2025 (X = 10.23, p < 0.04). Furthermore, thirty-seven (10.4%) abstracts were presented at more than one major meeting, reflecting broad dissemination beyond a single venue. Conclusion: Rising abstract authorship and presentation rates signal greater academic engagement and visibility of women of color in the field. The growing research output of WOCPRS members reflects shifting priorities in plastic surgery, with increasing emphasis on Education, Training, and Innovation. These trends underscore the critical role of underrepresented voices in shaping the future of plastic surgery and highlight the ongoing need for mentorship, representation, and advocacy in the specialty.