The editorial boards of behavior-analytic journals: An analysis of geographic distribution and presumed gender

Abstract

The geographic distribution and gender of authors who have published in behavior-analytic journals have been analyzed at different points. Yet little is known about the geographic and gender diversity of editorial board members who have served on prominent behavior-analytic journals. We analyzed the regional and gender distribution of editorial board members—editors in chief, associate editors, and members of editorial boards—serving at the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Perspectives on Behavior Science from 2000 to 2023. Our analysis showed that (a) the journals have been led primarily by editors with U.S. affiliations, (b) women have been underrepresented at the editor-in-chief and associate-editor levels, and (c) the gender gap has steadily decreased among editorial board members in recent years. We discuss the importance of diversity in the editorial leadership of academic journals and offer suggestions for expediting change.