Studies highlight where further change is needed to achieve gender balance among practising vets. Women remain under-represented in veterinary surgery research and professional speaking opportunities, research shows.Experts at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies found marked under-representation of women among speakers at European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) annual scientific meetings between 2012 and 2022.Although women accounted for 34 per cent of specialists recognised by the ECVS in the same time period, only 21 per cent of speakers were women, and none delivered keynote lectures. A related study examined more than 20 years’ worth of publications in the journal Veterinary Surgery, revealing that only around one-third of primary authors were women. The study team hopes that these findings will encourage journal editorial boards and professional societies in veterinary medicine to embrace a proactive stance towards transparency around selection criteria and public commitment to inclusivity. Gender gapThe proportion of women named as leading authors on veterinary publications has grown steadily, rising from 29 per cent in 2010 to 60 per cent in 2022, the team found. However, women remain less likely to hold senior author positions, which are typically responsible for leading and funding research projects. Addressing barriersAlthough the majority of veterinary undergraduates are women, barriers such as a lack of female role models in surgery, unconscious bias, limited flexibility in training and unequal access to research funding may be contributing factors to a lack of gender equality, according to experts.Orthopaedics was identified as one area with particularly low female representation. This may be due to the perception that vets need to be physically strong to work in orthopaedics, and that the majority of specialists delivering lectures and postgraduate training in this specialty are men, which maybe off-putting for women starting out, the research team says.Ongoing initiatives at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies aim to address barriers to equity. The School holds a Silver Athena Swan award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality and continues to promote flexible training pathways, mentorship, and support for staff balancing professional and family responsibilities. This research was carried out in collaboration with colleagues in GENDER.ED, a hub for gender studies at the University of Edinburgh that promotes research, teaching, and knowledge exchangeThese studies were published in PLOS One. We believe our findings highlight why it is important to recognise, acknowledge and discuss the barriers that currently exist so we can work towards equality of opportunity for all in our field. We need everyone to engage in wanting to make things better for those coming after us. Dr Kathryn Pratschke, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Equity benefits everyone. By recognising where the gaps are, we can start to create opportunities that allow all talented people to progress in their careers, regardless of gender. These findings confirm what many in the profession already suspected. Our hope is that this evidence helps build a constructive discussion about how we can work together to achieve greater equity for everyone. Professor Kelly Blacklock, Professor of Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Related linksResearch publication - Women as leading authors in veterinary surgery researchResearch publication - Gender inequity in conference speakers About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Animal Welfare Centre We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. This article was published on 2025-11-07
