Discussion Papers In Economics And Econometrics - Abstract

Discussion Paper 0926, "Women's Careers in Economic History in the UK", by Helen Paul

Economic history is an important sub-discipline of Economics.2 Women in economic history face similar challenges to their female colleagues in mainstream economics. In the UK, economic history has been affected by government policies aimed at evaluating research. The Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs) have been criticized for penalizing interdisciplinary work. In addition, such assessment frameworks are not likely to be gender neutral. They are a product of the existing academic elite and that elite is currently overwhelmingly male. Evidence presented using the Economic History Society Census of 2007 shows that well-established staff can fast-track their careers. The gap between them and other members of the academic community then widens. This has (unintended) consequences for gender equality at work as women tend to be clustered at lower ranks.

Keynames: Women’s careers, Economic History, Academic labor market, Research Assessment Exercise.

JEL Classification: A11, A12, B54