The Department of Economics is dedicated to promoting the discipline of economics for all. We encourage more women to explore economics and we are here to support you along your path. Information and resources are provided below for women in economics, or those interested in finding out more about initiatives on our campus and beyond.
illini Women in Economics (iWiE) is group started in Spring 2015 to encourage more female participation in economics at the University of Illinois, while providing relevant support, resources, and opportunities. We welcome everyone associated with the University community (Undergraduate, Master's, PhD, Faculty, and Alumna) from any discipline, who share a passion for economics and promoting our mission on campus.
The Undergraduate Women in Economics Challenge (UWE) was launched in January 2015 by Claudia Goldin and Tatyana Avilova at Harvard University. It is an initiative to encourage more undergraduate women to major in economics.
Nationwide there are about three males for every female student majoring in economics and this ratio has not changed for more than 20 years. (See the “Background Facts” section for more detailed information.) We believe that the relative lack of women in economics needs to be addressed.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign hosted the 2018 Undergraduate Women in Economics Challenge Conference. This year’s Conference was a great success due to the dedicated panelists and facilitators. Attendees were able to participate in case studies as well. The focus of the conference was on the discrimination and difficulty woman face in the workplace and how to overcome this challenge. Read the Full 2018 Conference Wrap-Up | Other UWE Conferences
UWE Resources
DIV E.Q. is an online resource promoting inclusive, innovative, and evidence-based teaching practices in economics.
Implicit Association Tests that measure attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report.
"Economics has a Problem with Women" (Financial Times, Diane Coyle, 2017)
"Women Are Missing From Economics. Here’s Why That Matters For All Of Us" (Huffington Post, Ann Mari May, 2018)