Do Virtual Environments Close the Gender Gap in Participation in Question-and-Answer Sessions at Academic Conferences? In Search of Moderation by Conference Format

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/hkba6
• Publication Date: 2022-05-16T23:32:38Z
• Authors: Shoshana N Jarvis; Christine Quang N...; Leila Zhu; Charles R. Ebersole; Laura Kray
• Keywords: Moderation; Gender gap; Converse

Consistent with power and status differences between men women in society, tend to participate more than do question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions at in-person academic conferences. This gap participation scientific discourse may perpetuate the quo. The current research examines whether this gender Q&A extends virtual conferences, which have become prevalent during COVID-19 pandemic. Due shifts conference formats enable asynchronous, anonymous, and/or simultaneous participation, we examined conferences are inclusive, mitigate participation. Across four that varied representation structured format, continued take a disproportionate amount of time space sessions. Disproportionate did not significantly vary systematically by how session was organized. In an all-chat conference, volubility were attenuated among higher academics. Gendered also impacted sub-discipline presentation in. Discussion considers theoretical practical implications these findings for understanding persistence inequality science. We encourage future attends cultural factors promote or disparities