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Sexism is prevalent in academia and is a crucial factor driving women out of the academic workforce. However, sexism in dementia research remains underexplored. This study aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of early-career dementia researchers (ECDRs) with sexism in the field.
A newly published study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia has shed light on the persistent and damaging presence of sexism within dementia research careers, particularly affecting early-career researchers. The paper, titled “Experiences and perceptions of sexism in dementia research careers: A global cross-sectional survey,” was led by Adam Smith (University College London) and Charlèss Dupont (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), with an international team of co-authors.
The research draws on responses from 345 early-career dementia researchers across the globe. It found that over half (52%) of women respondents reported experiencing sexism in their careers. This ranged from overt discrimination and harassment to more subtle forms such as microaggressions and double standards. Just 5% of male respondents reported similar experiences.
Key findings include:
- Double standards were the most reported form of sexism (experienced by 70% of those affected), followed by microaggressions (53%) and misogyny (50%).
- The impacts of sexism were significant: 46% of respondents said it affected how they interact with colleagues, 38% reported reduced confidence, and 29% said it delayed their career progression.
- Sexism increased by career stage, with assistant professors reporting the highest rates.
- Geographically, North America showed higher prevalence of reported sexism compared to Europe.
- Institutional responses were often lacking: fewer than 7% of those who reported sexism found their institution helpful in addressing it, while 56% preferred not to answer at all—indicating a strong reluctance to raise issues internally.
The paper argues that while many universities have policies in place to tackle sexism, they often fall short in practice—especially in addressing subtler, systemic forms of discrimination. The authors call for targeted interventions, including leadership training in implicit bias, better institutional reporting mechanisms, and mentorship schemes to support women and minoritised groups in dementia research.
This is the first global study to focus specifically on sexism experienced by early-career dementia researchers. The findings highlight not only the persistence of sex-based inequality in academic research but also the need for urgent and effective action to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all researchers.
📖 Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70123
About the Data
Our sincere thanks to the authors—Adam Smith, Charlèss Dupont, Diana Karamacoska, Sara Laureen Bartels, Elizabeth A. English, Nathan M. D’Cunha, Darina V. Petrovsky, and C. Elizabeth Shaaban—for their commitment to amplifying the voices of early-career researchers and shining a light on the challenges within our field.
Alzheimer's Association
