Power in Editorial Positions: Where Are the Women in Public Administration?

17 Pages Posted: 30 May 2015 Last revised: 4 Jun 2015

See all articles by Mary K. Feeney

Mary K. Feeney

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Public Affairs

Date Written: May 28, 2015

Abstract

Journal editors serve a vital, powerful role in academic fields. They set research priorities, serve as gatekeepers for research, play a critical role in advancing junior scholars as reviewers and eventually into editorial roles, build extensive networks while serving as editors, and gain valuable insight into the behavior and preferences of reviewers and researchers in the field. This paper analyzes data collected from eleven leading public administration journals in 2014. The data illustrate a clear underrepresentation of women on editorial boards and complete absence of women in chief and managing editor positions at our journals. Drawing from these data, research on journal editorships, departmental websites, and interviews with senior and junior women in the field, I discuss the underrepresentation of women in journal leadership. I then propose a number of mechanisms by which all public administration scholars (junior, senior, men, and women), journal leadership, and academic departments can move toward increasing women’s representation in these important positions.

Keywords: women in public adminstration, journal editors, PMRC 2015

Suggested Citation

Feeney, Mary K., Power in Editorial Positions: Where Are the Women in Public Administration? (May 28, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2611771 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2611771

Mary K. Feeney (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Public Affairs ( email )

Farmer Building 440G PO Box 872011
Tempe, AZ
United States

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