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Experiences and perceptions of sexism in dementia research careers: A global cross-sectional survey

Smith, A; Dupont, C; Karamacoska, D; Bartels, SL; English, EA; D'Cunha, NM; Petrovsky, DV; (2025) Experiences and perceptions of sexism in dementia research careers: A global cross-sectional survey. Alzheimer's and Dementia , 21 (4) , Article e70123. 10.1002/alz.70123. Green open access

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 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. METHODS: In September/October 2021, a global online survey was conducted targeting ECDRs. The survey assessed their career experiences, including sexism, and was distributed through networks, social media, and e-mail lists. Responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Of the 345 respondents, more than half of the female ECDRs (52%) reported facing sexism in their careers, ranging from overt discrimination to subtle biases. Experiences varied by career stage and location, and many ECDRs reported a lack of institutional support. DISCUSSION: These findings reveal the prevalent nature of sexism in dementia research and highlight the need for targeted interventions to foster a more inclusive research environment. Highlights: A global survey revealed 52% of female early-career dementia researchers experience sexism. Subtle sexism, like microaggressions, impacts confidence, and collaboration choices. Experiences of sexism vary by geography, with North America reporting higher prevalence. Assistant professors report higher rates of institutional and overt sexism. Findings emphasize the need for policies addressing implicit bias and sex inequality.

Type: Article
Title: Experiences and perceptions of sexism in dementia research careers: A global cross-sectional survey
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1002/alz.70123
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70123
Language: English
Additional information: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer’s & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer’s Association.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, academic careers, early career researchers, sexism, Humans, Dementia, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Sexism, Research Personnel, Surveys and Questionnaires, Male, Career Choice, Adult, Biomedical Research
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Neurodegenerative Diseases
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209063
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