In the first episode of Season Six of The Data Malarkey Podcast, host Sam Knowles speaks with Ylann Schemm, Vice President for Corporate Responsibility at Elsevier and Director of the Elsevier Foundation. Their discussion explores the ongoing gender disparities in academic research, the barriers that persist for women in STEM, and the initiatives being implemented to drive meaningful change.
The current landscape of gender representation
Despite increasing awareness of gender equity, academic research still has significant disparities. According to Elsevier’s 2024 report on gender and diversity, women make up only 41% of researchers worldwide. The gender gap is even more pronounced in STEM fields, where progress towards parity remains slow.
At the current rate, gender balance in STEM disciplines is not expected to be achieved until 2052. Women in academia face barriers such as underrepresentation in senior positions, fewer funding opportunities, and systemic biases in research publishing and collaboration networks. These challenges underscore the need for targeted, data-driven interventions.
Ylann Schemm’s journey and commitment to change
Schemm has spent nearly 20 years at Elsevier, moving from communications to corporate responsibility. She has been a strong advocate for gender equity in research and has helped shape Elsevier’s diversity initiatives. Since becoming Director of the Elsevier Foundation in 2017, she has focused on expanding women’s participation in STEM through mentorship, leadership programmes, and partnerships.
Schemm’s work is rooted in data-driven strategies, ensuring that gender equity efforts are not just symbolic but produce measurable change. She believes that accurate data collection and analysis are key to identifying where progress is needed most.
Strategic initiatives to close the gender gap
The Elsevier Foundation takes a multi-pronged approach to tackling gender inequality in academic research:
- Data-driven analysis – Collecting and analysing research trends to identify barriers and gaps that prevent women from advancing in academia.
- Global partnerships – Collaborating with organisations such as UNESCO, the African Academy of Sciences, and GenderInSITE to implement effective gender equity policies.
- Mentorship and training – Supporting early-career female researchers through mentoring networks, career development programmes, and leadership training.
- Structural change in publishing – Working with academic journals and research institutions to address biases in peer review, authorship, and grant funding.
Leadership and company culture
Elsevier’s commitment to diversity and inclusion gained momentum with the appointment of Kumsal Bayazit as the company’s first female CEO in 2019. Under her leadership, initiatives such as the Researcher Academy for Women have been prioritised, ensuring that gender equity is embedded into the company’s long-term strategy.
The challenges ahead
While progress is being made, gender equity in academic research requires continued effort. Systemic barriers, unconscious biases, and historical underrepresentation in leadership roles still exist. However, with strong leadership, international collaboration, and a commitment to data-driven change, the goal of gender parity in research is becoming more attainable.
Conclusion
Ylann Schemm’s work with Elsevier and the Elsevier Foundation demonstrates the importance of structured, evidence-based approaches to gender equity. Through mentorship, policy reform, and data analysis, meaningful steps are being taken to create a more inclusive academic environment.
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This blog was created using ChatGPT.
