GENDER GAP IN THE AUTHORSHIP OF SPECIALIZED COMMUNICATION BOOKS IN SPAIN

Abstract

Various studies have been verifying gender asymmetries in the field of knowledge and science. This research proposes to check if gender gaps exist in the authorship of books at the most prestigious scientific publishers in the field of communication in Spain. Based on a bibliometric analysis on the book catalogues of the first 14 Spanish publishing houses according to the Scholarly Publication Index ranking (Q1), the main authorship by men and women has been recorded. It is found that, on average, women are main authors in less than 24% of the books and first signature in less than 18% of the titles for sale. It is also found that the situation has not evolved towards progressive parity in recent years. The study focuses its analysis on some of the ramifications of androcentrism in the scientific system, such as the status of men in the production of meaning, the question of androcentric cultural power, and the association of prestige-masculinity in editorial production. The research opens a debate on the criteria of editorial quality sustained on a democratic deficit such as the failure of the principle of equality. It points out the special relevance of this circum-stance in the field of communication and media, due to its primary role in the elimination of gender discrimination.