Gender balance in time-keeping at life science conferences

Abstract

Scientific conferences are biased against women when selecting speakers, but recent studies showed a positive trend where the ratio of invited female speakers had increased. We have recorded speaking times at 11 different conferences during 2016-2017 to analyze which factors influenced a speakers time keeping. Men and women went over time 47% and 41% of the talks, respectively. In a regression analysis, it was found that the most important factors that influences how long a presenter spoke was 1) their allocated time, 2) their career stage and 3) the level of time keeping enforcement. It was also found that gender and the size of the conference contributed significantly towards the speakers timing. Male speakers exceeded their allocated time more frequently than female speakers, especially at large conferences (60% vs 49%). Since conferences are an important arena for science dissemination this might have a negative impact on female scientists careers.