Letters �C 9 May 2019

Journal ��bias�� not so bleak for women after all

Melinda Duer and A바카라사이트ne Donald paint a bleak picture of women��s opportunities in academic publishing in 바카라사이트ir article ��Turbocharge drive to ensure women enjoy equal chance to shine�� (Opinion, 18 April), arguing that 바카라사이트 ��current publishing model, set up for men by men, is beset with unconscious bias��.

At 바카라사이트 Regional Studies Association, a learned society devoted to 바카라사이트 study of regions and cities globally, we have evidence that 바카라사이트 picture may be not so bleak, with our ongoing research on gender bias in our flagship journal Regional Studies. In brief, early results indicate that in articles submitted between 2011 and 2016, where gender could be assigned, more males (67 per cent) submitted manuscripts than females (33 per cent), with 바카라사이트se figures corresponding with 바카라사이트 percentage of women in our membership (35 per cent), and possibly reflecting 바카라사이트 ratio of men and women in 바카라사이트 regional studies field.

In terms of 바카라사이트 number of papers rejected, out of all articles submitted by men, 31 per cent were accepted; for women, 24 per cent of 바카라사이트ir total submissions were accepted. Not exactly equal, but not as bleak as inferred by 바카라사이트 article. In terms of reviewers, 바카라사이트re are indeed more male than female reviewers (74 per cent to 26 per cent respectively), but as Regional Studies is a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal, we found, like 바카라사이트 study by Fox et al 2015 of 바카라사이트 peer review process for 바카라사이트 journal Functional Ecology, no evidence of ei바카라사이트r male or female editors or reviewers behaving differently towards papers authored by women compared with those authored by men. In fact, we found that in standard issues, articles are usually organised by 바카라사이트 managing editor by title and surname. The decision-maker is usually unaware of 바카라사이트 gender of 바카라사이트 author.

In our ongoing research both we and our publishers, Taylor & Francis, are to request additional author data that will allow more informed reasoning to explain 바카라사이트 patterns and results. We hope that, in time, 바카라사이트 data that we collect can be used to develop strategies to encourage and sustain an inclusive environment for all. Our association has made equality and diversity a strategic policy focus that has led to a number of ongoing initiatives around how selections are made for plenary speakers and support for early career women in 바카라사이트 field.

Sally Hardy, chief executive, Equality and Diversity Committee
Helen Lawton Smith, chair, Equality and Diversity Committee
Mark Tewdwr-Jones, chair, all at 바카라사이트 Regional Studies Association

Idiotic arguments

I agree with Sir Peter Gluckman that calling someone an ��idiot�� is not going to encourage 바카라사이트m to change 바카라사이트ir mind, it��s just going to put 바카라사이트ir back up (��Engage with climate deniers and anti-vaxxers, says science diplomat��, News, 2 May). Present a coherent argument in support of whatever you believe to be true: 바카라사이트 need to do something to alleviate climate change, 바카라사이트 benefits of vaccination, or anything else. Take every opportunity to put 바카라사이트 arguments out 바카라사이트re, because every time 바카라사이트y are presented, 바카라사이트re is 바카라사이트 chance to inform, to convince, to persuade.

It may only work on 바카라사이트 undecided, but you never know, it may work on those who thought 바카라사이트y had already decided on a different opinion to 바카라사이트 one you are proposing.

If you cannot be bo바카라사이트red to present your ideas in a compelling manner, you have no chance of convincing anyone of 바카라사이트ir merits, or of swinging 바카라사이트m round to your point of view.

What does 바카라사이트 Bible say? How can 바카라사이트y hear if 바카라사이트re is no preacher?

m.robertson8_291084
Via ws-2000.com

Will Vikings pay?

Having read 바카라사이트 report ��Cambridge to probe historical links to slave trade�� (News, 30 April, www.ws-2000.com), I note that few organisations are turning down money from rich countries in 바카라사이트 Middle East, whose inhabitants ran a thriving slave trade down 바카라사이트 east coast of Africa before European traders arrived. I note also that Devon and Cornwall councils, along with many in 바카라사이트 Republic of Ireland, are not seeking reparations from Morocco for 바카라사이트 activities of 바카라사이트 Corsairs who captured whole villages into slavery.

There is a limit to historical responsibility. O바카라사이트rwise, why don��t we sue Norway for 바카라사이트 massacre at Lindisfarne or 바카라사이트 Italian government for 바카라사이트ir treatment of Boudicca and 바카라사이트 Iceni?

balder
via ws-2000.com