Gender inequities in speaker representation and academic recognition: A cross-sectional observational study

Aim: This study evaluates gender disparities in speaker representation at the Italian Society of Orthodontists (SIDO) congresses (2020–2024) and the International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) 2020, focusing on gender distribution and academic impact, measured by the h-index. Materials and Methods: The SIDO congress programs (2020–2024) and IOC 2020 were analyzed to count male and female invited speakers. The h-index for each speaker was retrieved from the Scopus database to assess academic productivity. Statistical tests, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, independent samples t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, were used to analyze gender-based differences in representation and h-index values. Results: Data from the SIDO congresses showed a persistent gender imbalance in both representation and academic recognition. In 2020, only 6 out of 29 speakers were female, with their average h-index (7.33) significantly lower than that of male speakers (13.13). Female representation increased to 31 % in 2024, but their average h-index (8.95) still lagged behind males (11.13). At the IOC 2020, female speakers represented 24 % but had a higher average h-index (22.62) than males (20.91). Conclusions: This study highlights significant gender disparities in both speaker representation and academic recognition in orthodontics. Despite increased female participation at SIDO congresses, their academic impact remains lower than that of their male counterparts. These findings emphasize the need for initiatives promoting gender equality, such as mentorship programs and inclusive policies, to empower women and reduce the gender gap in academic and professional settings.