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Do looks matter for an academic career in economics?

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  • Hale, Galina
  • Regev, Tali
  • Rubinstein, Yona

Abstract

We show that physical appearance plays a role in the success of economics PhD graduates and investigate the underlying mechanisms driving this relationship. Leveraging a unique dataset of career and research productivity trajectories of PhD graduates from leading economics departments in the United States, we provide robust evidence that appearance is a predictive factor for both research productivity and job placement. Our analysis goes beyond establishing the association between attractiveness and success within the profession. By jointly examining appearance, job outcome, and research productivity, as well as the longitudinal development of the latter two over time, we show that the effect of appearance can be partially, but not fully, attributed to its role as a predictor of research productivity, with the remainder of the effect reflecting an intrinsic demand for attractiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Hale, Galina & Regev, Tali & Rubinstein, Yona, 2023. "Do looks matter for an academic career in economics?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 406-420.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:215:y:2023:i:c:p:406-420
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.09.022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Babin, J. Jobu & Chauhan, Haritima S. & Kistler, Steven L., 2024. "When pretty hurts: Beauty premia and penalties in eSports," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 726-741.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Beauty; Appearance; Economists; Statistical discrimination; Taste discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics

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