Women in Economics: Giulia Guipponi
We interviewed Giulia Guipponi from the Institute of Fiscal Studies as part of our Equality Insights: Women in Economics series.
Giulia, what does your work focus on?
My research interests are at the intersection of Labor and Public Economics. I study how social insurance programs affect employment choices and the welfare of individuals; the impact of minimum wages on firm behavior and on the distribution of wages; and the rise of atypical forms of work, such as zero hours contracts and independent workers, and their implications for income insecurity and inequality.
Your work sounds so interesting and varied! What first attracted you to studying economics?
The opportunity to understand how public policies can improve individual economic opportunities, make people’s lives better and lead to a more equal society.
What misconceptions do you think some young women may hold about economics as a degree option or career path?
I think young students don’t always know what economics really is about and tend to associate it entirely with the business or finance world, or with – say – macroeconomics and interest rates. Economics is much more than that. Economics studies how people and firms make choices: what to study, what to buy, how much to work, whether to have a family… And it studies how public policies can affect people’s lives. Knowing more about the wider set of topics covered by economics may induce more young students to choose economics as a degree. I don’t think that this type of misconception necessarily affects men and women differently.
Regarding choosing economics as a career, I don’t think this is related to misconceptions. Once a student understands the range of topics Economics studies, then she/he would also realize that an economics career may span different areas (e.g. consulting, academia, policy…). So, we go back to the previous points.
Other problems hold women back in pursuing an economics career in academia, and in other environments. Such aspects are due to forms of discrimination and to the lack of family-friendly practices that still characterize certain environments. Awareness of such problems is high; it has already led to change and will hopefully lead to further improvements.
Do you have any suggestions for what universities could do to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to consider studying economics?
Reach out to young students in high schools and talk about what economists really do. Here are two great examples by Professor Oriana Bandeira - 'What to Economists Really Do' and 'Economists at Parties'.
Finally, what is the best part of your job as an economist?
Focusing all efforts in understanding topics that interest me and that I deem important for society. And collaborating with very talented colleagues in my institution and abroad.
This interview is part of our Equality Insights: Women in Economics series.
