How Many Women Does It Take to Close the Research Gap?

The world of research in economics and political science is slowly changing. The number of women in these fields is growing. However, there is still a noticeable difference in the amount of research produced by men and women. This is especially true in the top 50 universities around the world. The idea is that when there are more women in a department, the average woman publishes more and gets more recognition for her work. This is what researchers call "critical mass. "It means having enough women in a field to make a real difference. When looking at the top 50 universities, it is clear that women in political science are doing better than those in economics. In political science, women's research output and impact are on par with men's. This is likely because political science departments tend to have a more even split between men and women. In economics, however, the story is different. Women's research performance is not as strongly linked to their representation. This is because economics departments often have fewer women. So, the critical mass needed to close the gender gap in research output and impact is not reached. This raises an important question:What can be done to increase the number of women in economics? And how can we ensure that these women have the support they need to succeed? It is not just about having more women in the field. It is also about creating an environment where they can thrive. One possible solution is to provide more mentorship and networking opportunities for women in economics. This can help them build the skills and connections they need to succeed. Another solution is to address the biases that may be holding women back. This can include things like unconscious bias in hiring and promotion decisions. It can also include the lack of flexibility in work arrangements, which can make it difficult for women to balance work and family responsibilities. In the end, closing the gender gap in research output and impact is not just about numbers. It is about creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all researchers. This is something that benefits everyone, not just women.