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

Markus Eberhardt, Giovanni Facchini and Valeria Rueda

No 15055, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: 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 analyze gendered patterns in the text of 9,000 reference letters written in support of 2,800 candidates. Using both supervised and unsupervised techniques, we document widespread differences in the attributes emphasized. Women are systematically more likely to be described using "grindstone" terms and at times less likely to be praised for their ability. Given the time and effort letter writers devote to supporting their students, this gender stereotyping is likely due to unconscious biases.

Keywords: stereotyping; natural language processing; gender; diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A11 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 61 pages
Date: 2022-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-big, nep-gen, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-sog
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

Published - published in: Journal of Economic Literature, 2023, 61 (1), 144–180

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Related works:
Journal Article: Gender Differences in Reference Letters: Evidence from the Economics Job Market (2023)
Working Paper: Gender differences in reference letters: Evidence from the Economics job market (2023)
Working Paper: Gender Differences in Reference Letters: Evidence from the Economics Job Market (2022)
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