Understanding Gender Inequality in Academic Economics

• Applicants: Professor Martin Karlsson, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Kristina Strohmaier
• Subject Area: Economic Policy, Applied Economics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563095891

This project examines the entire career development of academic economists in the German-speaking world, with a focus on the academic publishing process. The goal of the project is to identify gender-specific differences in networking, co-authorship, publications, and recognition in order to understand the causes of the systematic disadvantage of women in the discipline. A central component of the project is the creation of a unique database that links survey data with biographical and bibliometric information. This database will serve as the foundation for three main phases of the research. The key objectives of the subprojects can be summarised as follows. 0. Creation of a bibliometric database: A comprehensive database will be developed that links bibliographic data with biographical information and survey data. 1. Investigation of gender differences in co-authorship: The project will explore the role of preferences and beliefs in the formation of co-authorships and how gender-specific patterns manifest in this context. 2. Identification of success factors in academic publishing: Co-authorship and parenthood will be specifically investigated as potential factors influencing publication success. 3. Analysis of gender biases in the recognition of academic work: This will include assessing the value of co-authorship in mixed-gender teams and examining to what extent such teams receive greater recognition. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the structural and social mechanisms that shape the career paths of economists, with a particular focus on gender-specific inequalities and their impact on professional success.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants