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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.
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This content will become publicly available on May 27, 2026
“Same As It Ever Was: Gender, Race, and Ethnicity Differences in Promotion for Academic Economists.”
Using data from Academic Analytics 2009-2022 linked to publications and multiple approaches of identifying race, we examine gender and racial/ethnicity differentials in promotion of economists in economics and non-economics departments. Results are mixed. The share of Black economists remains at 3%. Huge gender penalties in promotion to both associate and full not explained by productivity continue in economics departments. There are no gender penalties in promotion to associate for economists in non-economics departments, although some in promotion to full. There are hardly any significant racial penalties in promotion to either rank, although statistical significance is difficult with such small samples.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2152437
- PAR ID:
- 10593531
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Economic Association
- Date Published:
- ISSN:
- 2574-0768
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Gender race/ethnicity promotion
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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