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Undergraduate Gender Diversity and the Direction of Scientific Research

Author

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  • Francesca Truffa
  • Ashley Wong

Abstract

Can diversity lead to greater research focus on populations underrepresented in science? Between 1960 and 1990, 76 all-male US universities transitioned to coeducation. Using a generalized difference-in-differences design, we find that coeducation led to a 44% increase in gender-related research publications. This increase is driven by research focused on female subjects and gender differences. While coeducation led to a compositional shift with more women and researchers interested in gender topics, much of the increase comes from male incumbent researchers shifting their research focus toward gender-related topics. The results support interaction with more diverse students and peers as key underlying mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Truffa & Ashley Wong, 2024. "Undergraduate Gender Diversity and the Direction of Scientific Research," CESifo Working Paper Series 11294, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11294
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    File URL: https://www.cesifo.org/DocDL/cesifo1_wp11294.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender diversity; direction of innovation; scientific research;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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