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Citation as representation: gendered academic citation politics persist in environmental studies publications

Author

Listed:
  • H. O.’Leary

    (University of South Florida
    University of South Florida)

  • T. Gantzert

    (University of South Florida)

  • A. Mann

    (Illinois Wesleyan University)

  • E. Z. Mann

    (University of South Florida)

  • N. Bollineni

    (University of South Florida)

  • M. Nelson

    (University of South Florida)

Abstract

Publication citation impact can be an essential metric in deciding tenure and promotion, but studies have shown that historically women are cited less than men, despite equal or greater output of publications. While these metrics were created in an effort to be objective and fair, they ultimately fail to reach their promise when citations continue to be gendered and biased, even unintentionally. This case study examines the relationships of gender to publication and citation within two international environmental science and studies journals, the Journal of Environmental Studies (JESS) and Environment and Society (E&S). These journals were selected for their interdisciplinary focus as well as their purposeful inclusion of international authors, demonstrating that disproportionate citation by gender is not a disciplinary or geographic issue, but more generally pervasive in academia. Systematically reviewing the gender of authors in these journals against the gender of the authors cited allows for an examination of the power dynamics that ultimately have a deep influence on an individual author’s perceived merit and ultimate academic success. Our study found that despite a relatively close ratio of female and male-identified authors in these journals, male-identified authors were much more highly cited within the scholarship by all authors. This review demonstrates that despite the implementation of blind peer review processes, challenges continue for equity within the cited scholarship. We hope this study contributes to the field of the environmental sciences being able to meaningfully address disproportionate representation by beginning concretely with tracking its own citation politics through reflexivity and an equity mindset.

Suggested Citation

  • H. O.’Leary & T. Gantzert & A. Mann & E. Z. Mann & N. Bollineni & M. Nelson, 2024. "Citation as representation: gendered academic citation politics persist in environmental studies publications," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 14(3), pages 525-537, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:14:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s13412-024-00928-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-024-00928-y
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    1. Michelle L. Larkins, 2024. "Introduction: practicing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in environmental studies and sciences," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 14(3), pages 443-451, September.

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