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Half Empty and Half Full? Women in Economics and the Rise in Gender-Related Research

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  • Francisca M. Antman
  • Kirk B. Doran
  • Xuechao Qian
  • Bruce A. Weinberg

Abstract

Using the EconLit dissertation database and large-scale algorithmic methods that identify author demographics from names, we investigate the connection between the gender of economics dissertators and dissertation topics. Despite stagnation in the share of women among economics PhDs in recent years, there has been a remarkable rise in gender-related dissertations in economics over time and in many subfields. Women economists are significantly more likely to write gender-related dissertations and bring gender-related topics into a wide range of fields within economics. Men in economics have also substantially increased their interest in gender-related topics.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:114:y:2024:p:226-31
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew B. Ross & Britta M. Glennon & Raviv Murciano-Goroff & Enrico G. Berkes & Bruce A. Weinberg & Julia I. Lane, 2023. "Author Correction: Women are credited less in science than men," Nature, Nature, vol. 621(7979), pages 41-41, September.
    2. Anusha Chari, 2024. "Report of the Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 114, pages 853-877, May.
    3. Shelly Lundberg & Jenna Stearns, 2019. "Women in Economics: Stalled Progress," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 33(1), pages 3-22, Winter.
    4. Francisca M. Antman & Kirk B. Doran & Xuechao Qian & Bruce A. Weinberg, 2024. "Demographic Diversity and Economic Research: Fields of Specialization and Research on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 114, pages 528-534, May.
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    1. Francisca M. Antman & Kirk B. Doran & Xuechao Qian & Bruce A. Weinberg, 2024. "Demographic Diversity and Economic Research: Fields of Specialization and Research on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 114, pages 528-534, May.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • B54 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Feminist Economics
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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