Difference between revisions of "Recruit and retain a diverse faculty"

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[[File:Diverse Faculty.jpeg|300px|right]]
 
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A number of studies have pointed to non-diverse economics department faculty as a deterrent for women and racial minorities to pursue further studies in economics.
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The lack of diversity in economics department faculty may deter students from underrepresented groups from pursuing further studies in economics. Rigorously derived evidence supports this hypothesis. Using a data set with random assignment of students to professors, Carrell, Page, and West (2010) find professor gender in introductory math and science courses “has a powerful effect” on female students’ performance in the class and on the likelihood of pursuing majors in the field. Fairlie, Hoffmann, and Oreopoulos (2014) find similar effects for underrepresented minority college students. At the graduate level, Hale and Regev (2014) and Neumark and Gardecki (1996) find that having more female faculty members leads to more female students entering and completing economics PhD programs.  
  
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While there are a variety of possible mechanisms through which instructor identity can affect student performance, same-gender and same-race role models may be effective in buffering against [[Stereotype threat]].  Psychologists Marx and Roman found that the presence of a highly competent female role model in mathematics protected female students from the negative effects of stereotype threat. In the first study, participants took a math test and self-esteem survey in the presence of either a male or female researcher who identified himself or herself as a math major. Marx and Roman found that female participants performed better and had higher state-self esteem in the female researcher condition. Men’s performance and self-esteem levels were equivalent across conditions. In follow up studies, participants read biographical descriptions of female students who were either math majors (math competent) or English majors who had taken a few math courses (math incompetent) as a sample essay and then completed a math test, a state self-esteem survey, and a self-appraisal of math competence. Descriptions of competent female math role models increased performance, state self-esteem, and self-appraisal of competence levels. Based on these findings, it is clear that competent same-gender role models in the field of economics would act as a buffer to stereotype threat.
  
Research (Lockwood, 2006) shows that exposure to a female role model improves a woman’s feelings of self-efficacy and ratings of potential future career success  more than exposure to a male role model. She also found that women cited other women as more often influential in their career paths than men. These findings suggest the importance of matching in career role models. Because there are fewer women and racial minorities in economics, the lack of role models may be a potential cause for further stereotype threat and disidentication from the field.  
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The [[Faculty participation data|absence]] of women and racial minorities from economics department faculty presents a message that students belonging to underrepresented groups are not welcome and may not be able to break into the field. The presence of a diverse faculty creates a more comfortable environment for underrepresented students, and typically results in increased [[Participation data|participation rates]] by these students. A diverse faculty is not only important in terms of role modeling for a diverse student body, but also for presenting different [[Consequences|perspectives]] in the economics classroom.  
  
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==Resources for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty==
  
Same-gender and same-race role models may be effective in buffering against [http://wikis.swarthmore.edu/div_econ/index.php/Stereotype_threat| Stereotype Threat ].  Psychologists Marx and Roman found that the presence of a highly competent female role model in mathematics protected female students from the negative effects of stereotype threat. In the first study, participants took a math test and self-esteem survey in the presence of either a male or female researcher who identified himself or herself as a math major. Marx and Roman found that female participants performed better and had higher state-self esteem in the female researcher condition. Men’s performance and self-esteem levels were equivalent across conditions. In follow up studies, participants read biographical descriptions of female students who were either math majors (math competent) or English majors who had taken a few math courses (math incompetent) as a sample essay and then completed a math test, a state self-esteem survey, and a self-appraisal of math competence. Descriptions of competent female math role models increased performance, state self-esteem, and self-appraisal of competence levels. Based on these findings, it is clear that competent same-gender role models in the economics would act as a buffer to stereotype threat.
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*The AEA's [http://www.aeaweb.org/committees/CSMGEP/index.php CSMGEP] collects and disseminates information on job opportunities and on minority PhD candidates.  
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*Since 2008, the Research Network for Racial and Ethnic Inequality has received funding from the National Science Foundation for the [https://thenetwork.socialequity.duke.edu/national-science-foundation-diversity-initiative-tenure-economics-dite Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics] (DITE).  DITE is a mentoring program targeting junior scholars in economics from underrepresented groups and junior scholars in economics who will promote greater diversity in the economics profession. More specifically, DITE conducts a 1 ½ day research and mentoring workshop that seeks to facilitate the successful transition of non-tenure track faculty to tenure track faculty or from junior faculty status to a tenured, associate professor position among economists who diversify the economics profession. DITE provides long term professional development guidance to the junior scholars who participate. The program seeks to include all identifiable recent Ph.D. economists from groups underrepresented in the economics profession or who display a strong commitment to diversification of the demography of the economics profession.
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*There are multiple databases and online resources available to help departments recruit diverse job candidates. North Carolina State University's [http://oied.ncsu.edu/advance/resources/faculty-search-toolbox-resources-for-recruiting-diverse-faculty/ website for ADVANCE], a program devoted to increasing faculty diversity, lists resources for finding qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds. Some resources suggested by them include:
  
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::[http://nrc58.nas.edu/FordFellowDirect/Main/Main.aspx Ford Foundation Fellows Directory]: "This directory contains information on Ford Foundation Postdoctoral fellowship recipients awarded since 1980 and Ford Foundation Predoctoral and Dissertation fellowship recipients awarded since 1986. The directory was created to serve as a resource for university officials seeking to diversify their faculty, minority students looking for mentors and role models, and scholars interested in establishing collaborative projects."
  
The absence of women and racial minorities from economics department faculty presents a message that students belonging to underrepresented groups are not welcome and may not be able to break into the field. The presence of a diverse faculty creates a more comfortable environment for underrepresented students, and typically results in increased participation rates by these students. A diverse faculty is not only important in terms of role modeling for a diverse student body, but also for presenting a different perspective in the economics classroom.  
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::[http://sacnas.org/about SACNAS Member Directory]: "SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in academia."
  
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::[http://dspdirectory.sreb.org/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1SREB Doctoral Scholar Directory]: "The database offers faculty and research recruiters an economical way to reach a diverse group of people. It includes access to: vitae, profiles, research and scholarship areas, as well as other information for all doctoral scholars and Ph.D. recipients who have attended the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, the largest gathering of minority Ph.D.s and Ph.D. candidates in the nation."
  
Recommendations:
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==Recommendations for further reading==
  
 
*Listen to Damon Williams speak on [http://media.swarthmore.edu/featured_events/?p=255 Towards a Model of Inclusive Excellence: Promising Practices for Advancing Faculty Diversity].
 
*Listen to Damon Williams speak on [http://media.swarthmore.edu/featured_events/?p=255 Towards a Model of Inclusive Excellence: Promising Practices for Advancing Faculty Diversity].
 
  
 
*Read [http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/academe/2000/SO/Feat/smit.htm How to Diversify the Faculty,]  By Daryl G. Smith. "Get beyond the myths and adopt new hiring practices if you want to add significant numbers of minority group members to the faculty"
 
*Read [http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/academe/2000/SO/Feat/smit.htm How to Diversify the Faculty,]  By Daryl G. Smith. "Get beyond the myths and adopt new hiring practices if you want to add significant numbers of minority group members to the faculty"
 
  
 
*Read "Interrupting the Usual: Successful Strategies for Hiring Diverse Faculty," by Daryl G. Smith, Caroline S. Turner, Nana Osei-Kofi, and Sandra Richards, The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 75, No. 2 (March/April 2004)
 
*Read "Interrupting the Usual: Successful Strategies for Hiring Diverse Faculty," by Daryl G. Smith, Caroline S. Turner, Nana Osei-Kofi, and Sandra Richards, The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 75, No. 2 (March/April 2004)
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{{hidden|Sources|
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Carrell, Scott E., Marianne E. Page, and James E. West. 2010. “Sex and Science: How Professor Gender Perpetuates the Gender Gap.” Quarterly Journal of Economics 125(3): 1101-1144.
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Catanese, A.V. (1991) Faculty Role Models and Diversifying the Gender and Racial Mix of Undergraduate Economics Majors. The Journal of Economic Education Vol. 22, No. 3, Special Issue on Undergraduate Economic Education (Summer, 1991), pp. 276-284 Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1183114
 
Catanese, A.V. (1991) Faculty Role Models and Diversifying the Gender and Racial Mix of Undergraduate Economics Majors. The Journal of Economic Education Vol. 22, No. 3, Special Issue on Undergraduate Economic Education (Summer, 1991), pp. 276-284 Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1183114
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Fairlie, Robert W., Florian Hoffmann, and Philip Oreopoulos. 2014. “A Community College Instructor Like Me: Race and Ethnicity Interactions in the Classroom.” American Economic Review 104(8): 2567-91.
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Hale, Galena, and Tali Regev. 2014. “Gender Ratios at Top PhD Programs in Economics.” Economics of Education Review 41: 55–70.
  
 
Lockwood, P. (2006). “Someone Like Me Can Be Successful”: Do College Students Need Same-Gender Role Models? Psychology of Women Quarterly. Vol.30, p 36-46.
 
Lockwood, P. (2006). “Someone Like Me Can Be Successful”: Do College Students Need Same-Gender Role Models? Psychology of Women Quarterly. Vol.30, p 36-46.
  
 
Marx, D., & Roman, J. (2002). Female Role Models : Protecting Women’s Math Test Performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Vol. 28:9. P 1183- 1193.
 
Marx, D., & Roman, J. (2002). Female Role Models : Protecting Women’s Math Test Performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Vol. 28:9. P 1183- 1193.
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Neumark, D., & Gardecki, R. (1996). Women helping women? Role Model and Mentoring Effects on Female PhD Students in Economics. NBER Working Paper 5733.
 
}}
 
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Latest revision as of 11:59, 17 September 2015

Diverse Faculty.jpeg

The lack of diversity in economics department faculty may deter students from underrepresented groups from pursuing further studies in economics. Rigorously derived evidence supports this hypothesis. Using a data set with random assignment of students to professors, Carrell, Page, and West (2010) find professor gender in introductory math and science courses “has a powerful effect” on female students’ performance in the class and on the likelihood of pursuing majors in the field. Fairlie, Hoffmann, and Oreopoulos (2014) find similar effects for underrepresented minority college students. At the graduate level, Hale and Regev (2014) and Neumark and Gardecki (1996) find that having more female faculty members leads to more female students entering and completing economics PhD programs.

While there are a variety of possible mechanisms through which instructor identity can affect student performance, same-gender and same-race role models may be effective in buffering against Stereotype threat. Psychologists Marx and Roman found that the presence of a highly competent female role model in mathematics protected female students from the negative effects of stereotype threat. In the first study, participants took a math test and self-esteem survey in the presence of either a male or female researcher who identified himself or herself as a math major. Marx and Roman found that female participants performed better and had higher state-self esteem in the female researcher condition. Men’s performance and self-esteem levels were equivalent across conditions. In follow up studies, participants read biographical descriptions of female students who were either math majors (math competent) or English majors who had taken a few math courses (math incompetent) as a sample essay and then completed a math test, a state self-esteem survey, and a self-appraisal of math competence. Descriptions of competent female math role models increased performance, state self-esteem, and self-appraisal of competence levels. Based on these findings, it is clear that competent same-gender role models in the field of economics would act as a buffer to stereotype threat.

The absence of women and racial minorities from economics department faculty presents a message that students belonging to underrepresented groups are not welcome and may not be able to break into the field. The presence of a diverse faculty creates a more comfortable environment for underrepresented students, and typically results in increased participation rates by these students. A diverse faculty is not only important in terms of role modeling for a diverse student body, but also for presenting different perspectives in the economics classroom.

Resources for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty

  • The AEA's CSMGEP collects and disseminates information on job opportunities and on minority PhD candidates.
  • Since 2008, the Research Network for Racial and Ethnic Inequality has received funding from the National Science Foundation for the Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics (DITE). DITE is a mentoring program targeting junior scholars in economics from underrepresented groups and junior scholars in economics who will promote greater diversity in the economics profession. More specifically, DITE conducts a 1 ½ day research and mentoring workshop that seeks to facilitate the successful transition of non-tenure track faculty to tenure track faculty or from junior faculty status to a tenured, associate professor position among economists who diversify the economics profession. DITE provides long term professional development guidance to the junior scholars who participate. The program seeks to include all identifiable recent Ph.D. economists from groups underrepresented in the economics profession or who display a strong commitment to diversification of the demography of the economics profession.
  • There are multiple databases and online resources available to help departments recruit diverse job candidates. North Carolina State University's website for ADVANCE, a program devoted to increasing faculty diversity, lists resources for finding qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds. Some resources suggested by them include:
Ford Foundation Fellows Directory: "This directory contains information on Ford Foundation Postdoctoral fellowship recipients awarded since 1980 and Ford Foundation Predoctoral and Dissertation fellowship recipients awarded since 1986. The directory was created to serve as a resource for university officials seeking to diversify their faculty, minority students looking for mentors and role models, and scholars interested in establishing collaborative projects."
SACNAS Member Directory: "SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in academia."
Doctoral Scholar Directory: "The database offers faculty and research recruiters an economical way to reach a diverse group of people. It includes access to: vitae, profiles, research and scholarship areas, as well as other information for all doctoral scholars and Ph.D. recipients who have attended the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, the largest gathering of minority Ph.D.s and Ph.D. candidates in the nation."

Recommendations for further reading

  • Read How to Diversify the Faculty, By Daryl G. Smith. "Get beyond the myths and adopt new hiring practices if you want to add significant numbers of minority group members to the faculty"
  • Read "Interrupting the Usual: Successful Strategies for Hiring Diverse Faculty," by Daryl G. Smith, Caroline S. Turner, Nana Osei-Kofi, and Sandra Richards, The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 75, No. 2 (March/April 2004)