Barriers and challenges to women leadership in medical research and how to overcome them

Women in leading positions in medical research remain underrepresented and face systemic barriers to career advancement, including implicit biases and stereotypes. To explore these issues, and envisage feasible solutions, we conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using a 33-item questionnaire. The survey was completed by 82 Italian senior academic female researches with an h-index higher than 60 in biomedical research. Major fields of study were biology, neurosciences, immunology, metabolism, genomics, pharmacology and oncology/cancer biology. This cohort offers insights into the experiences, struggles, and achievements of highly successful women in medical research. Findings reveal persistent gender biases and societal expectations slowing or hindering women's career progression, with only 17% of respondents expressing satisfaction with gender parity in opportunities within the field Almost all (91%) reported challenges with work-life balance and lack of institutional support, many respondents emphasized the underrepresentation of women in leadership, with 74% highlighting the need to increase female participation in decision-making roles. Additionally, 61% advocated for promoting more women to senior positions toward achieving gender equality in the field. 89%, experienced at least one gender-related obstacle during their career while 42% were tempted to resign from their professional role. These results highlight the persistent structural and cultural obstacles that even top-performing women face in the field. Targeted strategies such as mentorship, education to counteract bias, flexible work policies, and equitable promotion policies are required for empowerment and to foster a more inclusive environment for current and future generations of women scientists. The study also highlights the resilience, dedication, and motivation of women academic medical researchers. Their sense of responsibility, passion for science, and the search of both personal and social support systems are crucial factors contributing to their persistence in the field, encouraging younger women to pursue a career in medical research.