A short thread about diversity in economics: Many departments and research units have been working on diversity and inclusion statements this year. Some statement drafts explicitly attribute econ's lack of diversity to discrimination, inequitable treatment, systematic bias, etc.
We were not so straightforward in the past, and this appears to have aroused indignation in many, who argue "you can't possibly know that's why econ is not diverse! Maybe it's preferences! Maybe it's productivity! You can't say it's discrimination!"
Yes, I can. In the case of gender, where there's enough data, there is now a substantial body of rigorous evidence that shows, in the case of academic publishing and tenure in particular, it's not a level playing-field out there.
Much of this research, @JennaEStearns and I summarize here: aeaweb.org/articles?id=10… and there's a more expansive treatment in the CEPR ebook I edited here: cepr.org/content/new-bo…
I've been told by many who have participated in hiring processes that tried honestly and energetically to find good female candidates for a position, that this evidence conflicts with their personal experience, and therefore can be dismissed as implausible. Everyone knows...
...that reverse discrimination is rampant, they say. But here's the thing--your personal experience is a data point--the studies above use rich data from many sources, and some are published in our top journals. At some point, this is not about our own stories--this is research.
Fifteen years ago, I wouldn't have been willing to say that there was clear evidence of inequitable treatment of women in academic economics, but now I am. Some strongly suggestive findings then (below), but the evidence is now very convincing. aeaweb.org/articles?id=10…
Guys, if you examine the evidence for inequitable treatment in academic economics (or just take my word for it, which you should), I'm sure you'll agree. And then we can really get to work.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
