Women make up the majority of students entering medical and dental schools in the UK, but are significantly underrepresented in senior academic roles. This report investigates why women are not progressing in clinical academia at the same rate as men. It outlines the barriers they face and presents practical recommendations to help address these challenges.
The findings are based on focus groups with students, surveys of senior academics, and international evidence. They reveal systemic issues including poor access to career guidance, inflexible training routes, and limited visibility of academic role models.
Women are well represented among students but their numbers decline sharply at each stage of the academic career path.
Many students are unclear about what clinical academia involves and do not receive relevant career advice.
Barriers include rigid training structures, unconscious bias in promotion processes and limited support for part-time work or career breaks.
Students and staff lack access to visible female role models and mentors.
Provide clearer, accessible information on clinical academic careers at all stages of education and training.
Expand support for flexible and part-time training and ensure these routes do not limit career progression.
Encourage leadership development among women and promote mentoring networks.
Monitor gender representation in funding decisions, academic appointments and leadership roles.
We call for coordinated action across universities, the NHS, funders, and policymakers. Regular data collection and evaluation are essential to ensure that the academic workforce reflects the diversity of those entering medical and dental education.