The promotion of effective gender equality has represented a strategic goal of European policies over recent years. Although significant progresses have been made, gender differentials still characterize the labor markets, as well as other domains of life, in various European countries. The objective of this study is to investigate gender differences in career trajectories in the Italian academic environment. As a case study we focus on the University of Florence. Data come from a specific survey on family and academic careers carried out on both permanent and temporary academic staff of the University of Florence.

All in all, we found that the careers trajectories at the University of Florence are gendered shaping. In particular, beside an equal gender distribution in the first stages of academic career, we found a gender gap in the progression toward higher roles – i.e., Associate and Full Professor positions. We did not find evidence that this gender gap is attributable to individuals’ choices about their family life, but differences exist across research fields. Although gender balances are not dramatic, several advancements are needed in Italy in order to transform academia towards a more gender equal environment.