Policy Matters: Why are there so few women in economics and what can be done about it?

In this episode of Policy Matters, hosts Matt Dickson and Franz Buscha talk to Sarah Smith, Professor of Economics at the University of Bristol and head of the Royal Economics Society’s Women’s Committee. Sarah explains what this committee is and how they are tackling the issue of the lack of women in the economics profession. Historically economics as a discipline has been dominated by men and despite increases in the proportion of female lecturers and professors in recent years, women remain under-represented, and massively so at the higher levels. Matt, Franz and Sarah discuss the need to change girls’ perceptions of what economists actually do and encourage more young women to take economics at A-level and at University. Sarah explains how within academia there remain barriers to career progression for women and that raising awareness of this amongst the male-dominated hierarchies is an important step in helping to level the playing field. The discussion closes thinking about what economics can learn from other disciplines that have made greater strides towards gender equality.