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How You Can Work to Increase the Presence and Improve the Experience of Black, Latinx, and Native American People in the Economics Profession

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  • Amanda Bayer
  • Gary A. Hoover
  • Ebonya Washington

Abstract

Recently in economics there has been discussion of how to increase diversity in the profession and how to improve the work life of diverse peoples. We conducted surveys and interviews with Black, Latinx and Native American people. These groups have long been underrepresented in the economics profession. Participants were at various stages along the economics career trajectory, or on the trajectory no longer, and used their lived experience to reflect on what helps and hurts underrepresented minorities in economics. We heard a few consistent themes: bias, hostile climate, and the lack of information and good mentoring among them. Respondents' insights and experience point toward action steps that you can take today to increase the presence and improve the work life of underrepresented minorities in the economics profession.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda Bayer & Gary A. Hoover & Ebonya Washington, 2020. "How You Can Work to Increase the Presence and Improve the Experience of Black, Latinx, and Native American People in the Economics Profession," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 34(3), pages 193-219, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:34:y:2020:i:3:p:193-219
    DOI: 10.1257/jep.34.3.193
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Amanda Bayer & Syon P. Bhanot & Erin T. Bronchetti & Stephen A. O'Connell, 2020. "Diagnosing the Learning Environment for Diverse Students in Introductory Economics: An Analysis of Relevance, Belonging, and Growth Mindsets," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 110, pages 294-298, May.
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    5. Amanda Bayer & Cecilia Elena Rouse, 2016. "Diversity in the Economics Profession: A New Attack on an Old Problem," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 30(4), pages 221-242, Fall.
    6. Amanda Bayer & Syon P. Bhanot & Fernando Lozano, 2019. "Does Simple Information Provision Lead to More Diverse Classrooms? Evidence from a Field Experiment on Undergraduate Economics," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 109, pages 110-114, May.
    7. Nina Banks, 2005. "Black women and racial advancement: The economics of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 33(1), pages 9-24, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Todd Pugatch & Elizabeth Schroeder, 2024. "A simple nudge increases socioeconomic diversity in undergraduate Economics," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(1), pages 287-307, January.
    3. Maria Cancian, 2021. "APPAM Presidential Address: Reflections on Who Counts and Why it Matters," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(2), pages 324-347, March.
    4. Christine Moser, 2022. "Doctoral degrees awarded to Blacks in agricultural economics: 1999–2019," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 2164-2180, December.
    5. Chavis, Larry & Wheeler, Laurel, 2024. "Applying Indigenous Approaches to Economics Instruction," Working Papers 2024-5, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    6. Ann Mari May & Mary G. McGarvey & Muazzam Toshmatova, 2024. "Gender differences in graduate student views on the professional climate in economics," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 42(2), pages 206-222, April.
    7. Susan Offutt & Jill McCluskey, 2022. "How women saved agricultural economics," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 4-22, March.
    8. Michael Jaeger & Jadrian Wooten, 2023. "The Most Magical Way to Teach: Disney Music In The Classroom," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 8(1), pages 12-23, January.
    9. Gary A. Hoover & Miesha Williams, 2022. "Historical racial exclusion from board membership at the Southern Economic Association, Western Economic Association International, Midwest Economics Association, and Eastern Economic Association and ," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 88(3), pages 861-868, January.
    10. Depro, Brooks, 2022. "Making introductory economics more relevant: Using personalized connections to introduce environmental economics," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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