Higher education and research institutions are critical to the well-being and success of societies, meaning their financial support is strongly in the public interest. At the same time, value-for-money principles demand that such investment delivers. Unfortunately, these principles are currently violated by one of the biggest sources of public funding inefficiency: sexism.
The paper addresses the significant issue of sexism in academia, highlighting its detrimental impact on science and the wastage of public funds. It emphasizes the gender gap’s economic and scientific toll, suggesting reforms for academic efficiency. The paper discusses the attrition of women at various career stages due to discriminatory practices and the need for systemic changes to promote gender equity in academia. It calls for action from academic institutions, governments, and funding agencies to ensure transparency, accountability, and the dismantling of structural biases to improve science and provide value for money.
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