Peer review is the cornerstone of scholarly publishing and it is essential that peer reviewers are appointed on the basis of their expertise alone. However, it is difficult to check for any bias in the peer-review process because the identity of peer reviewers generally remains confidential.

The number of citations, and more importantly, citations in high-impact journals is one of the motors of a scientists career. However, studies are showing a gender bias impeding the career of women researchers.

• Gender and geographical disparity in editorial boards of journals in psychology and neuroscience, NatNeuro Perspective (2022)
• Nepotism and sexism in peer-review (1997)
• Research: Gender bias in scholarly peer review
• The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Peer Review
• The extent and drivers of gender imbalance in neuroscience reference lists
• Medical journals must address gender bias
• eLife and PREreview partner to promote greater diversity in peer review
• Confronting gender bias in Nature’s journalism
• Personal attributes of authors and reviewers, social bias and the outcomes of peer review: a case study
• The extent and drivers of gender imbalance in neuroscience reference lists
• Gender Disparity in Citations in High-Impact Journal Articles
• Fewer citations for female authors of medical research