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Remote talks: changes to economics seminars during Covid-19

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  • Marcus Biermann

Abstract

This paper analyzes the consequences of the change in the presentation mode of seminars in economics triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the technology shock, the number of seminars held decreased by approximately 12 percent as seminars went from in person to online presentations. The composition of seminar speakers changed significantly. Three proxies of speakers' quality suggest that leading top economists gained shares. The share of seminars held by women increased. The geography of knowledge dissemination shifted significantly as the distance be-tween host and speaker institutions increased on average by 32 percent. The growing inequality in presentations among speakers is correlated with an increase in inequality in terms of citations. The results imply that working from home instead of travelling can decrease gender-specific inequality and increase inequality by productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus Biermann, 2021. "Remote talks: changes to economics seminars during Covid-19," CEP Discussion Papers dp1759, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid-19;

    JEL classification:

    • A1 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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