Are women being inappropriately appointed to board positions based on their gender?

The banking royal commission has claimed some high profile scalps, not least at the besieged financial services giant AMP which saw both its chief executive and chairperson step down — and three directors resign.

But the aspect that attracted the most commentary at the time was not what AMP had done but that those who stepped down were mostly women.

The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors "categorically rejected" any link between governance failures at AMP and gender.

But that didn't deter businessman Chris Corrigan who weighed into the debate saying the push for gender equality meant companies didn't "necessarily have the best person for the job."

Now, a team of researchers from Macquarie University have tried to settle the argument women are being promoted to boards above their skill set.