"From Classroom to Career: Building an Inclusive Economics Pipeline"
The RES Diversity and Inclusion Network recently brought together economists, educators and professionals for an online discussion on the practical steps being taken to broaden access to economics and create more inclusive pathways into the discipline.
Chaired by Professor Denise Hawkes and Sam McLoughlin, the event explored how initiatives such as Discover Economics are helping to challenge long-standing stereotypes about who belongs in economics, while highlighting new routes into the profession through professional economist apprenticeships.
Across two panel discussions, speakers examined the evidence behind the economics pipeline, shared practical examples of widening participation, and reflected on their own experiences of entering and building careers in the profession. Discussions also considered how schools, universities, employers and the wider economics community can work together to attract and support people from a broader range of backgrounds.
A student’s perspective
As part of the event, Year 12 student Maja from Kent attended the session during her work experience and has written a reflection on what she learned from the discussions.
Reflecting on the experience, she wrote:
“Listening to successful women speak about their experiences in economics helped me see that stereotypes do not have to shape your decisions.”
Read Maja’s full reflection here.
At the other end of the pipeline, Ashley Fernando made a related point about representation. Speaking as a woman of colour from a non-selective state school, she argued that not seeing anyone who looks like you in a field isn’t a reason to stay out of it – it’s exactly why your perspective is needed in it.
The Society extends its thanks to all of the speakers who contributed to the event: Sarah Smith OBE, Vasileios Antonopoulos, Ram Patra, Ashley Fernando, Tara Alexandra Jennings and Jennie Hodgson.
The Diversity and Inclusion Network is kindly supported by Frontier Economics as a RES Strategic Partner for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
This programme supports the RES strategic priorities; bringing communities of economists together, advocating for economics, improving diversity, inclusion and integrity in the profession and developing the next generation of economists.
Session recording
Programme
11:00- 11:10 Welcome and opening remarks
Denise Hawkes, Co-Chair of the RES Diversity and Inclusion Network
11:10-11:55 Panel discussion: Building an Inclusive Economics Pipeline: Evidence, Ambition and Impact
Sarah Smith, University of Bristol
Vasileios Antonopoulos, Ministry of Justice
Ramakanta Patra, Cardiff Metropolitan University
11:55-12:05 Comfort break
12:05- 12:50 Panel discussion: Breaking Through: Lived Experiences of Entering and Thriving in Economics
Ashley Fernando, The Health Foundation (Apprentice)
Jennie Hodgson, Frontier Economics
Tara Jennings, DWP (Master Apprentice)
12:50- 13:00 Closing remarks
Denise Hawkes, Co-Chair of the RES Diversity and Inclusion Network
RES Diversity & Inclusion Network
The RES Diversity & Inclusion Network aims to connect individuals and groups working to make Economics more diverse and create a better community. We welcome economists from academia, public and private sectors working on increasing diversity, and creating more inclusive environments for under-represented groups in economics to join us (also join our mailing list to keep up to date with our news and events).
If you have any questions, please contact programmesofficer@res.org.uk