Female academics under the lens: emerging topics, gaps, and agenda ahead

Abstract Research on female academics has grown considerably in recent years, driven by increasing interest in gender equity within academia and the evolving challenges faced by females in this field. Despite the growing body of literature, there remains a need for a systematic analysis to map current trends, emerging topics, and underexplored areas. This study employs scientometric methods and text mining techniques to investigate the knowledge production chain in research on female academics, offering a structured overview and a future research agenda. Results reveal the dynamic evolution of knowledge production in the field, which is emerging as a systematic and interdisciplinary area of study. The analysis identifies both traditional and emerging topics, including female’s representation, recognition, and challenges, gender differences and career development, work–life balance and wellbeing, and the impact of intersectionality and multicultural contexts on female’s academic experiences. Furthermore, an examination of knowledge production and impact dissemination at national and individual levels reveals structural patterns such as center–periphery dynamics and gendered divisions of labor in academic research. These findings underscore the need to enhance international collaboration and promote gender diversity in academic research. Given the increasing emphasis on gender equity in higher education institutions worldwide, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to inform gender-sensitive policies and practices within academia.