To understand the challenges and facilitators of a successful academic neurology research career broadly and to identify gender-based disparities specifically.

Across academic medicine and within neurology, gender disparities are repeatedly documented. This qualitative study aimed to identify and understand gender disparities in long-term academic success for neurology researchers as reported by American Academy of Neurology survey respondents in 2019. 

In 2019, 60 neurologists (31 women, 29 men) participated in one of 12 focus groups and 15 individual interviews. Participants were asked pre-determined and open-ended questions. Themes were generated using a flexible coding methodology.

Six pre-determined domains relevant to a successful neurology research career were explored: definitions of success, facilitators, barriers, biases and harassment, mitigation strategies, and participant recommendations. Gender-based differences among participants were most notable during discussions focused on barriers, and biases and harassment. Lack of women mentors, under-representation of women in senior faculty positions, and competing responsibilities when children are young were identified as challenges to women’s success. Both women and men acknowledged that known gender disparities in compensation, academic promotion, and publications disproportionately impact women. Women shared more experiences of bias and harassment. Some men felt that gender-based biases were minimal to non-existent. Participants provided recommendations for ways to mitigate gender disparities.

Academic neurology women researchers experienced disparities across several domains that can impact success, including lower compensation, fewer women mentors, and bias and harassment. These disparities demonstrate that women are less likely to be promoted, have less research success, and job satisfaction. Shared experiences of bias and harassment among women neurology researchers indicate continuing opportunities for education among departments and colleagues for preventive measures. These qualitative results indicate gender disparities among US-based neurology researchers and highlight the importance of the continued need to work toward equality in disparate gender-related issues in the careers of neurology researchers.