Gender gaps in Argentine science: the unfixable leaky pipeline

Abstract

The metaphor of the leaky pipe captures the persistent loss of women in science, especially at senior levels. This article offers a collective reflection by women ecologists in Argentina, combining empirical data and lived experiences to examine how gender shapes scientific careers, practices, and institutions. Drawing on unstructured interviews with eight senior researchers in ecology, a national online survey across all career stages (PhD, postdoc, and seniors) researchers in ecology, biology, agronomy, and environmental sciences, and a 20-year analysis of ecology conference proceedings, we explore how precarious employment, caregiving responsibilities, and epistemic hierarchies affect scientific vocation, emotional well-being, and knowledge production. Our findings highlight how peer support and collective networks sustain early-career women researchers, while structural inequalities, traditional evaluation systems, and recent austerity measures intensify exclusion. We show how dominant cognitive biases shape research agendas, reinforcing the marginalization of alternative knowledge systems. In this context, pursuing a scientific career becomes an act of resistance. We argue that addressing gender inequalities requires more than individual resilience; it demands a structural transformation, with inclusive evaluation criteria, equitable parental leave, career path expansion, and recognition of diverse epistemologies. Finally, we hope to contribute to reimagining ecological science not only as a space for knowledge production, but also as one based on justice, care, and collective belonging.