Female Scientific Sources.

Practices and Barriers in Their Media Integration

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.5928

Keywords:

Women scientists, media, women visibility, expert sources, gender

Abstract

Despite the sustained increase of women in scientific and technological fields, their presence as expert sources in the media remains limited, generating inequalities in both the dissemination of knowledge and the symbolic construction of scientific authority. This study examines the visibility of women scientists in the public sphere through a quantitative methodology based on two surveys: one administered to women researchers, and another to science journalism professionals in Spain. The results indicate that although the database is valued as a useful tool, its incorporation into journalistic routines remains marginal. Women scientists identify structural barriers related to time constraints and limited institutional recognition, as well as symbolic obstacles linked to self-perception of authority and public exposure. Journalists, in turn, point to limitations arising from time pressure, reliance on habitual sources, and the lack of training in gender-sensitive practices. The discussion highlights strong alignment between both groups regarding the absence of direct and stable interactions as the main factor hindering the inclusion of female experts in media coverage. In conclusion, improving the visibility of women scientists requires institutional strategies, specific training, and the systematic integration of tools such as the AMIT database into journalistic practices to promote a more plural, equitable, and socially relevant scientific communication.

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Author Biographies

Patricia Sánchez-Holgado, Universidad de Salamanca, España

Patricia Sánchez-Holgado is a researcher in the Department of Sociology and Communication at the University of Salamanca (Spain) and a member of the Observatory of Audiovisual Contents. Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the Complutense University of Madrid. Postgraduate degree in Big Data and Master in Teacher Training from the Pontifical University of Salamanca, in addition to Master in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, with a specialty in Scientific Culture, from the University of Oviedo. Her professional experience spans almost twenty years working in companies in the communication and advertising sector. Her lines of research focus on scientific communication and dissemination, the adoption and use of technologies, the social perception of science, and gender and equality studies.

Laura Rodríguez-Contreras, University of Salamanca

Postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Sociology and Communication at the University of Salamanca. Member of the Observatory of Audiovisual Content (OCA). Member of the Association of Women Researchers and Technologists (AMIT). Master's degree in Audiovisual Communication: Research and Innovation (2018). PhD with international distinction in "Training in the Knowledge Society" from the University of Salamanca (2023). Her main lines of research are narrative persuasion, health communication, quantitative methods, and media psychology.

María José Higueras Ruiz, Universidad de Málaga, España

María José Higueras-Ruiz (Granada, Spain, 1989) has a University Degree in Media Studies and Master´s Degree in Scientific Information and Communication, both of them, from the Universidad of Granada, thanks to the pre-doctoral contract Formación de Profesorado Universitario, supported by Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. She is currently working at the Communication Department (University of Málaga) as Assistant Professor. Her research line is Communication Media and Journalism, therefore her thesis is focused on production of fiction television series, particularly, on the showrunner profile.

Santiago Lomas Martínez, Universidad de Salamanca, España

Santiago Lomas Martínez is a professor and researcher in the Department of Sociology and Communication at the University of Salamanca, where he is a member of the OCA research group. He has published articles in prestigious academic journals such as the Journal of Spanish Cultural Studies, Hispanic Research Journal, Celebrity Studies, Feminist Media Studies, and Studies in Spanish & Latin American Cinemas. As a lecturer, he has taught courses such as History of Audiovisual Media, Film and Television in Spain, and Representation of Identities in Audiovisual Media. His main research interests are the history of film and television in Spain and queer, gender, and transnational studies.

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Published

2026-01-30

How to Cite

Sánchez-Holgado, P., Rodríguez-Contreras, L., Higueras Ruiz, M. J., & Lomas Martínez, S. (2026). Female Scientific Sources. : Practices and Barriers in Their Media Integration. Prisma Social Journal, (52), 248–266. https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.5928

Issue

No. 52 (2026)

Section

Sección abierta

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