The Gender of Professional Recognition: Patterns in Awards in Political Science

• In Event: Gender & Inclusion: The Profession & Beyond

Abstract

To what extent do political science associations contribute to diversify the discipline through their attribution of awards and prizes? Awards and prizes are an important proxy for judging scholarly reputation and constitute a central element for career opportunities and advancement which are principally based on peer reputation. The paper investigates longitudinal gender and diversity patterns in award recipients and award committees for seven major political science associations for the period from 2000 to 2020 (APSA, IPSA, IPPA, ISA, ECPR, CPSA and PSA). We examine the impact of the degree of prestigiousness of the award, the disciplinary subfield, and the award committee composition. We draw some important lessons regarding the relationship between the recognition of excellence in research in the discipline and diversity and inclusion and the extent to which awards dismantle or reinforce systems of privileges in the profession. While efforts have been made toward greater diversity in the award recipients and the composition of the award committees, this increase is larger among the early career-related awards than among the career achievement awards

Authors

• Isabelle Engeli, University of Exeter

• Christine Rothmayr Allison, University of Montreal