Research seminar: Kerstin Grosch (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business)

We would like to invite you to a research seminar by Kerstin Grosch (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business).

Paper: Closing the Gender STEM Gap: A Randomized-Controlled Trial in Elementary Schools

Abstract: We examine whether a digital web application for elementary-school children can increase children's interest in STEM with a specific focus on narrowing the gender gap. Coupling a randomized-controlled trial with experimental lab and survey data, we analyze the effect of the digital intervention and shed light on potential behavioral mechanisms. We demonstrate that girls have a lower overall interest in STEM than boys. Our treatment increases girls' interest in STEM and, consequently narrowing the gender gap by approximately 20%. This outcome establishes the malleability of STEM interests. Our findings further suggest that an easy-to-implement digital intervention has the potential to foster gender equality for young children and can potentially contribute to a reduction of gender inequalities in the labor market in terms of occupational sorting and the gender wage gap later in life.

The seminar will take place on Wednesday, March 13, in Room 105 at 10:00.

The paper is available here. 

If you need a discussion slot with Dr. Grosch, please write to Michal Bauer, and he will try to find a suitable time.