Gender Differences in Reference Letters: Evidence from the Economics Job Market

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Eberhardt, Markus; Facchini, Giovanni; Rueda, Valeria
• 署名单位: University of Nottingham; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK; IZA Institute Labor Economics; University of Nottingham
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/uead045
• 发表日期: 2023
• 页码: 2676-2708
• 关键词: student-evaluations; recommendation; women; RECOGNITION; female; biases

摘要

Academia, and economics in particular, faces increased scrutiny because of gender imbalance. This paper studies the job market for entry-level faculty positions. We employ machine learning methods to analyse gendered patterns in the text of 12,000 reference letters written in support of over 3,700 candidates. Using both supervised and unsupervised techniques, we document widespread differences in the attributes emphasised. Women are systematically more likely to be described using 'grindstone' terms and at times less likely to be praised for their ability. Using information on initial placement, we highlight the implications of these gendered descriptors for the quality of academic placement.