We are very proud of the superb scholarship represented in both this and the two subsequent issues of the Renaissance Quarterly. Unfortunately, it is painfully apparent that these three issues do not represent the work of women scholars in the same proportion as men. We feel that it is necessary to acknowledge this imbalance and to speak frankly about the deleterious effects that the pandemic has had on the professional and personal lives of our contributors, colleagues, and collaborators.
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the number of submissions by female scholars fell sharply, a development that illustrates the degree to which childcare, homeschooling, eldercare, and other essential tasks fell to women around the globe. We look forward to rectifying this imbalance in our 2022 volume and beyond, and we want to honor the many women—and, yes, many men as well—in the field of Renaissance and early modern studies who selflessly put aside their scholarship temporarily in the face of more urgent demands.
The Editors
