What we knew

In their promotion data for STEMM academics, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found that women were less likely to apply for promotion than men (29% vs 71% of applications respectively). However, when women did apply, they were as successful as their male colleagues.

This suggested that women may feel that they must have a flawless case before applying for promotion. Other barriers to applying – such as insufficient time or support to complete the application, or the perception that they are unlikely to be successful – may also have contributed to the gender difference in application rates.