title: Perceptions and experiences of a gender gap at a Canadian research institute and potential strategies to mitigate this gap: a sequential mixed-methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gender gap in academia is long-standing. Failure to ensure that our academic faculty reflect our student pool and national population deprives Canada of talent. We explored the gender distribution and perceptions of the gender gap at a Canadian university-affiliated, hospital-based research institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  We completed a sequential mixed-methods study. In phase 1, we used the research institute's registry of scientists (1999-2014) and estimated overall prevalence of a gender gap and the gap with respect to job description (e.g., associate v. full-time) and research discipline. In phase 2, we conducted qualitative interviews to provide context for phase 1 data. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used for recruitment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The institute included 30.1% (n= 62) women and 69.9% (n= 144) men, indicating a 39.8% gender gap. Most full-time scientists (60.3%,n= 70) were clinicians; there were 54.2% more male than female clinician scientists. Ninety-five percent of basic scientists were men, indicating a 90.5% gap. Seven key themes emerged from 21 interviews, including perceived impact of the gender gap, factors perceived to influence the gap, recruitment trends, presence of institutional support, mentorship and suggestions to mitigate the gap. Several factors were postulated to contribute to the gender gap, including unconscious bias in hiring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial gender gap exists within this research institute. Participants identified strategies to address this gap, such as establishing transparent search processes, providing opportunities for informal networking and mentorship of female scientists and establishing institutional support for work-life balance.
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Alekhya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mascarenhas
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Julia E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tricco
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Jemila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jassemi
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Straus