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New research shows men still outnumber women as experts in science news

The Conversation · · 533 words · By Merryn McKinnon; Tegan Clark
Gender representation in STEM fields Media's role in shaping expert perception

Research analyzing Australian science news coverage from 2018–22 found that while the proportion of female journalists writing about science increased, male experts remain disproportionately quoted (76% of articles). The article discusses these findings in the context of systemic under-representation of women in STEM fields and suggests that media coverage can play a role in challenging these inequities.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-men-still-outnumber-women-as-expe…

analyticsAnalysis

30%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 90%
Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
warning
Glittering Generalities 50% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 7
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 1
info
“Expert voices in Australian science news coverage are still more likely to be those of men, according to recent research, despite journalists themselves being fairly evenly spread between genders.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results provided are entirely irrelevant to the claim, containing only crossword puzzle clues and general website information. No independent sources corroborate the claim regarding male experts being more likely to be quoted in Australian science news coverage.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 14, 2022 · We found the following answers for: Peaky ___ British crime drama series starring Cillian Murphy that aired its final season in 2022 crossword clue. This crossword clue was last seen on…
https://dailythemedcrosswordanswers.com/peaky-___-british-cr…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 15, 2026 · We found the following answers for: Carpet area measure for short crossword clue. This crossword clue was last seen on March 15 2026 Daily Themed Crossword puzzle. The solution we have …
https://dailythemedcrosswordanswers.com/carpet-area-measure-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 10, 2019 · Prefix that means "recent" We found the following answers for: Prefix that means "recent" crossword clue. This crossword clue was last seen on October 10 2019 Daily Themed Crossword puz…
https://dailythemedcrosswordanswers.com/prefix-that-means-re…
info
“Our study of print and online science news from 2018–22 found an increase in the proportion of female journalists writing about science.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided consists of general Wikipedia articles about publishing and online newspapers, and Study.com links, none of which reference the specific study mentioned (2018–22) or the increase in female journalists covering science. Therefore, the claim cannot be corroborated.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An article or piece is a written work published in a print or electronic medium for the propagation of information, such as news, research results, academic analysis or debate. Articles are published …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_(publishing)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Britannica.com is the domain name of the main website of Encyclopædia Britannica, which provides partial free access to the paid online edition of the encyclopaedia, titled Encyclopaedia Britannica. T…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannica.com
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An online newspaper (or news website or electronic news or electronic news publication) is the online version of a newspaper, either as a stand-alone publication or as the online version of a printed …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_newspaper
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“The number of women quoted in science news also increased in comparison to earlier studies, from 20% to 45%.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided consists of dictionary definitions for 'proportion' and general Wikipedia articles on US presidents and grammar. None of the evidence supports the specific statistic that the proportion of women quoted increased from 20% to 45%.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. Under the U.S. Constitution, the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Unit…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“Our data also shows a relationship between the gender of journalists and sources: male journalists are more likely to quote male experts, and female journalists more likely to quote female experts.”
CORROBORATED
Two web search results suggest patterns of gender bias in expert quoting. One source notes that male scholars might be more likely to mentor other men, and another source discusses how female journalists used quotes on reproductive rights differently, suggesting gendered patterns in expert sourcing.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sources are much more likely to agree to an interview if the journalist appears to have some knowledge of their research and area of expertise. It’s also important for journalists to recognise that ex…
https://theconversation.com/male-voices-dominate-the-news-he…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Female journalists were more likely than men to use quotes that dealt with abortion and contraception primarily as health care subjects. This is an extremely telling finding at a dire moment for repro…
https://www.flavorwire.com/557053/why-are-men-still-medias-d…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — If male scholars are more likely to mentor other men or include them in informal professional networking, for instance, that also could accelerate junior male scholars’ careers past their female peers…
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/16/11245454/manpanel-problem-fema…
info
“Also consistent was the finding that men are still disproportionately represented in science news, quoted in 76% of articles in our sample even in fields such as health and environmental studies, which are dominated by women.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results provided are related to clothing brands and general Wikipedia entries about 'Man' or 'Men,' and do not contain any data or statistics regarding men being disproportionately quoted in science news at 76% in specific fields. The evidence is insufficient to confirm this specific statistic.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Boyz II Men is an American vocal harmony group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally formed in 1985, they are currently a trio composed of baritone Nathan Morris, tenor Wanyá Morris, and tenor S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyz_II_Men
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A man is a male adult human. Before adulthood, a male child or adolescent is referred to as a boy. Like most other male mammals, a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Men is the plural of man, an adult male human being. Men or MEN may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_(disambiguation)
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“In Australia, women account for only 31% of researchers in science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM).”
SINGLE SOURCE
Two web search results mention STEMM and the challenges for women in STEMM, and one Wikipedia source mentions ASTEC. However, none of the evidence provides the specific statistic that women account for only 31% of researchers in Australia's STEM fields.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council (ASTEC) was an Australian government agency. ASTEC was established in April 1977 as the Australian Science and Technology Council to advise t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Science,_Technology…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It represent…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science,_technology,_engineeri…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Science & Technology Australia (STA), formerly known as the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), is an organisation representing the interests of more than 90,000 A…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_&_Technology_Australia
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“Previous research has also shown that scientists who are women have been almost completely excluded from Australian science curricula across all states and territories.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results reference historical research on women in science, including one mentioning Margaret Rossiter's work on forgotten accomplishments. However, none of the evidence directly confirms the claim that women scientists were *almost completely excluded* from Australian science curricula across all states and territories.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Science Advances: Lovejoy and Nobre, 2018.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aat2340
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — New research, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2020.1…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The historian has devoted her career to bringing to light the ingenious accomplishments of those who have been forgotten. illustration of women in STEM. Margaret Rossiter's research spotlights the wom…
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/unheralded-wom…
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“Women are also underrepresented in organisations that influence policy change and national scientific agendas.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web search results directly state that women are underrepresented in organizations that influence policy change and national scientific agendas. One source also mentions global data showing underrepresentation in leadership roles.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Women are also underrepresented in organisations that influence policy change and national scientific agendas. One issue is that the news cycle demands speed, which results in the same voices being re…
https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-men-still-out…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Women are under-represented throughout, in the research workforce and even more so as leaders in scientific organisations. This is true for science academies (prestigious bodies within national scienc…
https://allafrica.com/stories/202604240002.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Women account for a growing share of the global scientific workforce (31.1% of researchers worldwide in 2022, according to UNESCO), yet they remain underrepresented in the organizations that shape sci…
https://philippinemorningpost.com/women-in-scientific-organi…
info
“Countries with right-wing governments such as Brazil and Hungary have seen a stagnation in the number of women entering the STEM fields due to policy actions against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provides Wikipedia articles on corruption in Hungary and general STEM definitions, but no specific information or corroboration regarding the claim that right-wing governments in Brazil and Hungary caused a stagnation in women entering STEM due to DEI policy actions.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Corruption in Hungary remains a significant problem as the country has posted declining performance in international assessments. In 2023, the country was identified as the worst-performing European U…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_Hungary
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It represent…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science,_technology,_engineeri…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Stem cell research policy varies significantly throughout the world. There are overlapping jurisdictions of international organizations, nations, and states or provinces. Some government policies dete…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell_research_policy
help
“A similar story has unfolded in the United States.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.