nep-sog 2022-01-31 papers

on Sociology of Economics

Issue of 2022‒01‒31
two papers chosen by
Jonas Holmström
Axventure AB

Adams and Eves: The Gender Gap in Economics Majors By Bertocchi, Graziella; Bonacini, Luca; Murat, Marina
Why Do Relatively Few Economists Work on Climate Change? A Survey By Pestel, Nico; Oswald, Andrew J.

Adams and Eves: The Gender Gap in Economics Majors

By:	Bertocchi, Graziella (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia); Bonacini, Luca (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia); Murat, Marina (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
Abstract:	We investigate the gender gap in Economics among bachelor's and master's graduates in Italy between 2010 and 2019. First we establish that being female exerts a negative impact on the choice to major in Economics: at the bachelor level, only 73 women graduate in Economics for every 100 men, with the mathematical content of high school curricula as the key driver of the effect and a persistence of the gap at the master level. Second, within a full menu of major choices, Economics displays the largest gap, followed by STEM and then Business Economics. Third, decomposition analyses expose a unique role for the math background in driving the Economics gender gap relative to other fields. Fourth, a triple difference analysis of a high school reform shows that an increase in the math content of traditionally low math curricula caused an increase in the Economics gender gap among treated students.
Keywords:	education gender gap, economics, higher education, business economics, major choice, major switching, mathematics, stereotypes
JEL:	A22 I23 J16
Date:	2021–12
URL:	http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14911&r=

Why Do Relatively Few Economists Work on Climate Change? A Survey

By:	Pestel, Nico (ROA, Maastricht University); Oswald, Andrew J. (University of Warwick)
Abstract:	Climate change is sometimes viewed as the most serious problem facing modern society. The science behind anthropogenic global warming has been understood for more than half a century. Yet relatively few economists work on topics related to climate change. What explains this (apparent) lack of interest from economists? Here we report the results of a survey to try to understand economists' views and actions. More than 90% of respondents state that they are concerned about climate change. Our survey then asks the respondents why they have not done research on the topic. The most frequent response (given by approximately 80% of economists) is that they do not feel they have enough time and resources to be able to work on climate change. We discuss possible explanations and concerns.
Keywords:	climate change, economics
JEL:	A11 Q54
Date:	2021–11
URL:	http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14885&r=

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