Markus Eberhardt

Markus Eberhardt is an associate professor in economics at the University of Nottingham. He is also a Research Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). His research primarily focuses on topics in international and development economics. He has published in leading academic journals in economics on the economics of technology, productivity, and innovation, and on economic growth and development more broadly. Methodologically, he is an applied economist with extensive expertise in panel data. He had a stint as visiting economist at the IMF in Washington, D.C. and consulted for the World Bank, UNIDO (Industrial Development Organization of the United Nations), UK DfID, and IDRC (Canada) on a variety of projects. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford.

Gender Stereotypes in Academic Reference Letters

In new research, Markus Eberhardt, Giovanni Facchini, and Valeria Rueda delve into a unique database comprising 12,000 reference letters, which were written in support of more than 3,700 applicants applying for academic job positions in economics in the United Kingdom. Their analysis uncovers a pervasive disparity in the way male and female candidates are recommended. Specifically, the authors observe that women are frequently lauded for their hard work and determination, and at times less likely to be praised for their natural talent. They also show that such gender-based stereotyping hinders the progress of women economists.

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