Presence of Women in Economics Academia: Evidence from India

TL;DR

This paper examines the under-representation of women in Indian Economics academia, highlighting disparities in faculty positions and conference authorship despite increasing doctoral participation.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on gender disparities in Indian Economics academia and explores factors influencing women's lower presence in faculty roles.

Findings

Women are under-represented in faculty positions and conference authorship.

Women’s participation in doctoral programs has increased and is nearly proportional.

Factors like international study and family responsibilities may hinder women’s academic careers.

Abstract

This paper documents the representation of women in Economics academia in India by analyzing the share of women in faculty positions, and their participation in a prestigious conference held annually. Data from the elite institutions shows that the presence of women as the Economics faculty members remains low. Of the authors of the papers which were in the final schedule of the prestigious research conference, the proportion of women authors is again found to be disproportionately low. Our findings from further analysis indicate that women are not under-represented at the post-graduate level. Further, the proportion of women in doctoral programmes has increased over time, and is now almost proportionate. Tendency of women who earn a doctorate abroad, to not return to India, time needed to complete a doctoral program, and responsibilities towards the family may explain lower presence of women in Economics academia in India.