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Gender Imbalance across Subfields in Economics: When Does It Start?

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Listed:
  • Pilar Beneito
  • José E. Boscá
  • Javier Ferri
  • Manu García

Abstract

We investigate the marked gender imbalance across subfields in economics and connect it with the relative scarcity of female students enrolling in economics. First, tracking authorship in the American Economic Association annual meetings, we find sharp gender imbalances across areas of research. When does this imbalance start? Using administrative data, we find gender differences in academic performance across subfields emerging as early as the undergraduate level. Finally, survey data reveal students’ gendered preferences that help explain our findings. These gender biases in terms of visibility, performance, and preferences across subfields provide a potentially relevant explanation for the overall gender imbalance in economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Pilar Beneito & José E. Boscá & Javier Ferri & Manu García, 2021. "Gender Imbalance across Subfields in Economics: When Does It Start?," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(3), pages 469-511.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jhucap:doi:10.1086/715581
    DOI: 10.1086/715581
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    Cited by:

    1. J. Ignacio Conde-Ruiz & Juan-José Ganuza & Manu García & Luis A. Puch, 2022. "Gender distribution across topics in the top five economics journals: a machine learning approach," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 13(1), pages 269-308, May.
    2. Sierminska, Eva & Oaxaca, Ronald L., 2022. "Gender differences in economics PhD field specializations with correlated choices," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Piera Bello & Alessandra Casarico & Debora Nozza, 2023. "Research Similarity and Women in Academia," CESifo Working Paper Series 10657, CESifo.
    4. Ian Li & Andrew Williams & Ken Clements, 2023. "Labour Market Outcomes of Graduates in Economics in Australia," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 42(3), pages 306-323, September.
    5. Mallika Thomas, 2024. "Effects of Peer Groups on the Gender-Wage Gap and Life After the MBA: Evidence from the Random Assignment of MBA Peers," Upjohn Working Papers 24-402, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

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