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Grading bias and the leaky pipeline in economics: Evidence from Stockholm University

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  • Jansson, Joakim
  • Tyrefors, Björn

Abstract

We estimate a substantial female grade gain when being graded anonymously compared to male students in 101-macroeconomics courses. Females graded anonymously are more likely to continue with economics studies. This suggests that biased grading is a direct cause of the “leaky pipeline” phenomenon in economics. As male graders are the majority, we complement our analysis and evaluate the importance of same-sex bias using random assignment of graders. Although, we estimate a substantial same-sex bias before anonymous exams were introduced, it cannot explain the overall effect of grading bias. Thus, same-sex bias is not the mechanism explaining the overall effect of grading bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Jansson, Joakim & Tyrefors, Björn, 2022. "Grading bias and the leaky pipeline in economics: Evidence from Stockholm University," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:78:y:2022:i:c:s0927537122001038
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2022.102212
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandre Truc & François Claveau & Catherine Herfeld & Vincent Larivière, 2024. "Gender Homogeneity in Philosophy and Methodology of Economics: Evidence from Publication Patterns," GREDEG Working Papers 2024-25, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    2. Jansson, Joakim & Tyrefors, Björn, 2025. "The effect of an anonymous grading reform for male and female university students," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    3. 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).
    4. Truc, Alexandre & Claveau, François & Herfeld, Catherine & Larivière, Vincent, 2024. "Gender Homogeneity in Philosophy and Methodology of Economics: Evidence from Publication Patterns," SocArXiv ck6s9, Center for Open Science.
    5. Stephan Maurer & Guido Schwerdt & Simon Wiederhold, 2023. "Do Role Models Matter in Large Classes? New Evidence on Gender Match Effects in Higher Education," CESifo Working Paper Series 10208, CESifo.
    6. repec:osf:socarx:ck6s9_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Yang, Xiaoliang & Zhou, Peng, 2025. "Unveiling citation bias in economics: Taste-based discrimination against Chinese-authored papers," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    8. Maurer, Stephan & Schwerdt, Guido & Wiederhold, Simon, 2024. "Understanding Gender Match Effects in Higher Education: The Role of Class Size," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302339, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    9. Alexandre Truc & François Claveau & Catherine Herfeld & Vincent Larivière, 2025. "Gender homogeneity in philosophy and methodology of economics: evidence from publication patterns," Post-Print hal-05543110, HAL.

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    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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