Gender Systematics in the NRAO Proposal Review System

Several recent investigations indicate the existence of gender-related systematic trends in peer review proposals for observations on astronomical facilities. This includes National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) where there is evidence a gender imbalance rank with male principal investigators (PIs) favored over female PIs. Since semester 2017A (17A), NRAO has taken following steps: (1) inform science panels (SRPs) and telescope time allocation committee (TAC) about imbalance; (2) increase representation SRPs TAC to reflect community demographics. Here we analyze SRP normalized rank-ordered scores, or linear ranks, by PI observing from semesters 12A-21A. We use bootstrap resampling generate modeled distributions Anderson-Darling (AD) test evaluate probability that PIs are drawn same parent sample. find between 12A-17A (AD p-value 0.0084), whereas 17B-21A PIs, but at lower significance 0.11). Therefore currently being ameliorated, this may have been reversed. Regardless, plan adopt dual-anonymous approach proposal reduce possibility bias occur.