Flying back from #ASSA2019 feels different than most years. Usually, I’m full of energy about all the innovative research I’ve seen and fascinating conversations I’ve had.
This year, I spent nearly the whole time talking to women and people of color about their experiences in economics. I heard some harrowing tales, and dozens of other tales of more minor slights, comments and actions that together made women question whether they belonged.
And I heard about systemic problems that create barriers at every stage of the profession, from undergraduate through tenure. Of course, you could see evidence of that just looking around the demographics of the conference.
But I also saw people — from grad students to senior faculty — deciding enough was enough. They spoke up on panels, organized in hallways and, yes, talked to reporters.
And I saw people using the tools of economics to study the problem and look for solutions.
So while I feel different this year, I am no less energized. There is something happening in economics right now. And I’m excited to see where it goes.
And you can bet @jimtankersley and I will be following up on what we heard and saw. The stories that “everyone knows”? We know (some of them) now, too, and we’re reporting them out. Know something we should? Our DMs are open.
