India, April 27 -- A 2026 global study of more than 130 academies and scientific unions finds women present but lacking power in science governance.

Despite women comprising nearly a third of researchers, they average only 19% of academy members, with sharp national disparities.

Structural nomination practices, informal networks and weak equality mechanisms sustain underrepresentation, undermining fairness, legitimacy and public trust in science.

Academia isn't strong on gender equality. 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 science systems) and scientific unions (international orga...