Gendered publication patterns in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology over a century (1918–2024): A bibliometric analysis

Academic careers progression is strongly linked to the number of scientific publications. This study documented the gendered publication and citation patterns for first and last authors of the American Journal of Biological Anthropology (AJBA). Results suggest gender inequality in the AJBA, and more broadly in bioanthropology, as women published and were cited significantly less than men. Yet since 2020, women first authors have published and been cited more frequently than men, as more women are enrolled in anthropology programs. However, men still published significantly more as last authors than women, which can be associated with more men holding senior positions and full professorships. Women tend to occupy more precarious positions or leave academia at higher rates, which leads to the erasure of women's perspectives and knowledge. In AJBA, senior men and women collaborated more with men first authors than with women. In addition, papers authored by men as both first and last authors were the most cited. Women's work is held to higher standards and perceived as less competent than men's due to gender stereotypes and structural sexism in academia. For an equitable academia, patriarchy needs to be replaced with a humane system through the deconstruction of gendered roles.