Economics

Even Without a ‘Me Too’ Moment, Economics Faces a Gradual Reckoning

  • Profession is crawling toward greater gender inclusivity
  • Spate of research shows female economists at disadvantage
HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R)Beth Littleford, Lauren Sivan, Tess Rafferty, Connie Leyva and Areva Martin seen at the Take Back The Workplace March on November 12, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic)Photographer: Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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University of Maryland economist Melissa Kearney has a tenured position, a resume full of hot-topic published papers and a senior fellowship at the Brookings Institution. Yet not long ago she considered quitting the field.

Anonymous postings on the website Economics Job Market Rumors -- a public discussion board where female economists are often the subjects of long and vitriolic threads -- blasted her research and presentations. Combined with bullying from a man in her department, the often-objectifying comments were almost the final straw, Kearney said.