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Gender Differences in Fields of Specialization and Placement Outcomes among PhDs in Economics

Author

Listed:
  • Nicole Fortin
  • Thomas Lemieux
  • Marit Rehavi

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of gender differences in field of specialization on gender disparities in job placement among recent economics PhD candidates. Women are underrepresented as assistant professors, especially at top-50 institutions, and overrepresented in nonresearch positions. Our decomposition results show that our variables account for 28 percent to 67 percent of the gender gap in placement outcomes. Fields of specialization account for the larger share (75 percent to 132 percent) of the explained differences for positions outside of top-50 institutions. For top-50 institutions, the ranking of the PhD institutions accounts for two-thirds of the explained placement differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Fortin & Thomas Lemieux & Marit Rehavi, 2021. "Gender Differences in Fields of Specialization and Placement Outcomes among PhDs in Economics," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 111, pages 74-79, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:111:y:2021:p:74-79
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20211028
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Baltrunaite, Audinga & Casarico, Alessandra & Rizzica, Lucia, 2025. "Women in economics: The role of gendered references at entry in the profession," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    2. Arun Advani & Elliott Ash & Anton Boltachka & David Cai & Imran Rasul, 2026. "Race‐related research in economics," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 93(370), pages 403-438, April.
    3. Brodeur, Abel & Kattan, Lamis & Musumeci, Marco, 2024. "Job Market Stars," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1514, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Fulya Y. Ersoy & Jennifer Pate, 2023. "Invisible hurdles: Gender and institutional differences in the evaluation of economics papers," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(4), pages 777-797, October.
    5. Lee, Deok-Young & Woo, Hyungsoo & Yang, Jae-Suk, 2026. "Networks of knowledge: hiring and collaboration networks in economics and physics departments," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1).
    6. Francisca M. Antman & Kirk B. Doran & Xuechao Qian & Bruce A. Weinberg, 2024. "Half Empty and Half Full? Women in Economics and the Rise in Gender-Related Research," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 114, pages 226-231, May.
    7. Singhal, Karan & Sierminska, Eva, 2024. "Inequality in the Economics Profession," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1536, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    8. Sierminska, Eva & Oaxaca, Ronald L., 2022. "Gender differences in economics PhD field specializations with correlated choices," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    9. Jenny Bourne & Nathan Grawe & Nathan D. Grawe & Michael Hemesath & Maya Jensen, 2022. "Scholarly Activity among Economists at Liberal Arts Colleges: A Life Cycle Analysis," Working Papers 2022-01, Carleton College, Department of Economics.
    10. Agata Czech & Marcelo Olarreaga & Olivia Peila, 2024. "Gender gap in faculty promotion," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, November.
    11. Katherine Smith Evans & Mary Bohman, 2022. "Women agricultural economists in federal agencies: Making a difference," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 54-70, March.
    12. Bateman, Victoria & Hengel, Erin, 2023. "The gender gap in UK academic economics 1996-2018: progress, stagnation and retreat," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118205, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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