A Gendered Chokepoint? Italian Political Science and the Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (ASN) in shaping the academic careers of Italian political scientists through a gender perspective. Drawing on an original dataset covering five ASN rounds (2012–2023), we find that while the procedure appears gender-neutral for associate professorships, significant disparities persist at the level of full professorships. Women are underrepresented among applicants, have lower success rates in obtaining the qualification, and are less likely than their male colleagues to be promoted once qualified. Institutional proximity between candidates and committee members significantly increase the likelihood of success and tends to benefit men more. To date, no study has examined the impact of the ASN within political science. This article offers the first systematic, gender-sensitive analysis of how the procedure affects career advancement in the field. The findings challenge the assumption of ASN’s gender neutrality and highlight the persistence of structural barriers that continue to hinder women’s progression to the highest academic ranks.