Why do women leave economics so that there is a “leaky pipeline”? I synthesize the research on the gender disparities in the profession and examine this topic further by interviewing women who work in or who have left the profession. I find that structural theories of inequality explain these patterns: women are perceived and treated differently in economics. They are less likely to be respected, valued, and supported and to receive recognition for their work. Consequently, they are less likely to publish, receive tenure and promotion, and stay in the profession.
Anna2022. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). April21.
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BarkerDrucilla K.2022. Author’s interview with this late great feminist economist via zoom. June1.
4.
BayerAmandaKalemli-ÖzcanŞebnemPandeRohiniRouseCecilia ElenaSmithAnthony A.Jr.SerratoJuan Carlos SuárezWilcoxDavid W.2019. Best Practices for Economists: Building a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Productive Profession. Pittsburgh, PA: American Economic Association. Accessed at: https://www.aeaweb.org/resources/best-practices.
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BernheimDouglas. 2023. Presentation at CSWEP’s Solutions/Innovative Ideas for Addressing DEI Issues. Allied Social Science Association, New Orleans, January8.
6.
BlauFrancine D.CurrieJanet M.CrosonRachel T. A.GintherDonna K.2010. Can mentoring help female assistant professors? Interim results from a randomized trial. American Economic Review100 (2): 348–52.
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Bridget. 2023. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). January13.
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CardDavidVignaStefano DellaFunkPatriciaIriberriNagore. 2020. Are referees and editors in economics gender neutral?Quarterly Journal of Economics135 (1): 269–327.
9.
Carol. 2023. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). January13.
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ChenJoyce. 2022. Interview with the author via zoom. June2.
11.
Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession (CSWEP). 2018. Focus: Dealing with sexual harassment. Learning from the experiences of CSWEP members. CSWEP News1: 5–6.
Donna. 2023. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). January18.
14.
DupasPascalineModestinoAlicia SasserNiederleMurielWolfersJustin, and the Seminar Dynamics Collective. 2021. Gender and the Dynamics of Economics Seminars. NBER Working Paper no. 28494. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research. Accessed at: https://www.nber.org/papers/w28494.
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ErtenBilge. 2022. Interview with author via zoom. June1.
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EssedPhilomena. 1991. Understanding Everyday Racism: An Interdisciplinary Theory. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
17.
GintherDonna K.KahnShulamit. 2014. Academic women’s careers in the social sciences. In The Economics of Economists: Institutional Setting, Individual Incentives, and Future Prospects, eds. LanteriAlessandroVromenJack, 285–315. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
18.
Harriet. 2022. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). August1.
19.
HopkinsBarbara. 2002. Interview with the author via zoom. August3.
20.
Horizon Europe. 2022. Research and Innovation: Horizon Europe. Accessed at: research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en.
21.
KanterRosabeth Moss. 1977. Men and Women of the Corporation. New York: Basic Books.
22.
KleemansMariekeThorntonRebecca. 2023. Fully promoted: The distribution and determinants of full professorship in the Economics profession. AEA Papers and Proceedings113: 467–72.
23.
KuiperEdith. 2022. Interview with author via zoom. June23.
24.
LiPeggy. 2014. Recent developments hitting the ceiling: An examination of barriers to success for Asian American women. Berkeley Journal of Gender Law and Justice29 (1): 140–67.
25.
Linda. 2022. Interview with the author via zoom (anonymous with fictionalized first name). June2.
