The latest report from the Knowledge and Development Foundation (CyD 2025) reveals that more than half of the scientific articles generated by the University of Lleida (UdL) between 2021 and 2024 were authored by women, reaching a percentage of 50.19%. This figure exceeds the national average of 44.72% by more than five points.
This result places the UdL in the eighth position in the Spanish ranking. The list is headed by the Universitat de Vic (54%), followed by the Universidad Europea de Valencia and the Universitat de Barcelona (51.71%). The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona also ranks above 50% (50.32%).
Despite the excellence in production, parity is not yet reflected in the leadership of research groups. Only 35% (18 out of 51) of the consolidated groups at the UdL, recognized by the Generalitat, are led by women, with the field of biomedicine showing the highest index (38%).
“"Some factors are structural and systemic, closely linked to cultural issues of the patriarchal system that we are trying to reverse."
The Vice-Rector argued that the scientific career is “long-term and linear” and traditionally penalized “gaps” in the curriculum of women who had become mothers. To counteract this, the UdL has implemented a research intensification program that allows reducing teaching dedication after maternity leave to allocate more time to research.
