Triangle of inequalities: gender, research funding and open access in Spain

Abstract Gender inequalities in science are widely documented, yet their persistence is often examined through isolated dimensions such as productivity, funding or publishing practices. This study provides an integrated analysis of how funding patterns, team structures and Open Access practices are associated with women’s participation in scientific production in Spain. Using large-scale bibliometric data from Web of Science (2008–2017), we analyse publications with at least one Spanish author, combining information on author gender, funding acknowledgements, authorship roles and Open Access status across five broad scientific fields. The results reveal that gender inequalities are not driven by a single mechanism, but emerge from the interaction of structural factors. Women are underrepresented in internationally funded publications and in senior authorship positions, while they appear more frequently as first authors. Mixed-gender teams consistently show more balanced participation and higher productivity for women, highlighting collaboration as a key equalising context. Open Access uptake is shaped by funding availability rather than gender, and incomplete funding information remains a major obstacle for monitoring equity and visibility. This study is particularly timely in the context of ongoing reforms in research assessment. By offering integrated, system-level evidence, it contributes to debates on responsible metrics, funding transparency and inclusive assessment practices. Rather than proposing new evaluative criteria, the findings provide diagnostic insights to support evidence-informed reforms aimed at reducing structural gender inequalities in science.