Breaking the Ice: Contributions and Challenges for Andean Glaciological Research Led by Women

Abstract This study examines the participation of women in Andean glaciology over the past four decades, combining a bibliometric analysis of 204 peer-reviewed articles (1983–2022) and a survey of female first authors (2018–2022). Results show a steady increase in women-led publications, rising from 8 percent in the 1980s–1990s to 30 percent in the past decade. However, structural barriers, including unequal access to funding, resistance to female leadership, and the disproportionate burden of caregiving, continue to limit gender equity in the field. Women-led studies are concentrated in Argentina and Chile, while countries like Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela remain underrepresented. The methods most commonly used by female researchers are fieldwork and remote sensing, which reflects limited access to laboratory-based approaches. Survey responses highlight both the motivations (scientific interest, conservation) and challenges (discrimination, lack of recognition, work-life imbalance) faced by women scientists. The findings reveal persistent epistemic and territorial asymmetries, especially in the context of international research led by Global North institutions. The study underscores the need for inclusive policies that go beyond formal representation, supporting equitable research leadership and collaboration. Promoting gender equity in cryosphere science is not only a matter of justice; it is essential for generating contextually relevant, socially just, and scientifically robust responses to climate change in the Andes.