FIFTY FOUR DEGREES | 27 did affect final choices. More influence appeared to be working on students who were originally planning to follow an Arts route, rather than those already thinking in terms of a business or engineering career. MODELLING ROLES Although small in scale, our field experiment has demonstrated the striking impact that positive role models does have on hearts and minds; in this case, successful, charismatic women talking about their career journey and what doors were opened by studying economics. Decision-making by students is highly subjective, rooted in perceptions made by the prevailing culture, the examples set by parents, family and friends. It’s important for there to be positive interventions that contribute to this environment of influences. The women in our study who opted to major in Economics, for example, now have a greater chance of higher earnings and a career where they can help improve diversity and balance in an arena that affects the lives of whole populations. Because economics is not, as often believed, just a discipline relating to finance. My own area is development economics: the Nobel Prize for which has just been given to a woman (the second ever) and two men who work in this area. Economists have central roles to play in improving education systems, health provision, and reducing poverty and inequality. The approach of using role models has potential for wide application to encourage positive choices and diversity, because of its simplicity and low cost. We’re now looking at results from a project in Somalia, using both male and female role models with young people to encourage more of them to stay in school. Our preliminary results show that female role models have made male students rethink their preconceptions about whether girls can finish their education or have a career. In economics there are several other initiatives aimed at improving diversity in the profession. The American Economic Association has appointed an ombudsperson to receive any complaints about harassment, and the UK’s Royal Economic Society has launched #DiscoverEconomics to broaden the appeal of economics to potential students. Professor Catherine Porter is a Senior Professor in Development Economics. There’s more information on the Royal Economic Society’s #DiscoverEconomics campaign here: bit.ly/RES-DE catherine.porter@lancaster.ac.uk
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